REESE    LIBRARY 

•>l    THK 

UNIVERSITY  .OF  CALIFORNIA. 

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A  (cessions  No.  £££&4£.  -       Shelf  No. .  _  _  _ 


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'fat.. 


SACRA  PR  WAT  A. 

THE 

PRIVATE  MEDITATIONS 

AND 

PRAYERS 

OF 
THE  RIGHT  REVEREND 

W&ilssn,  D. 

M 

BISHOP  OF  SODOR  AND  MAN, 
ACCOMMODATED 

TO  GENERAL  USE. 


SECOND  CAMBRIDGE  EDITION, 


LORD,  TEACH  US  TO  PRAY.     LVK&  XI.  I. 

CAMBRIDGE, 
MILLIARD    AND   METCALF    PRINTERS* 


\  ,  3 


PREFACE. 

J  HE  truly  Reverend  Doc- 
tor THOMAS  WILSON,  fifty  eight 
years  Bishop  of  Sodor  and  Man, 
was  blessed  with  the  spirit  of 
prayer  in  a  very  uncommon 
measure  ;  of  which  his  Sacra 
Privatat  or  Private  Meditations 
and  Prayers^  are  an  eminent  in^ 
stance. 

They  have  hitherto  been 
locked  up  from  the  world  in  an 
expensive  book  ;  and  are  mixed 
throughout  with  so  much  med- 
itation and  prayer,  that  can 
come  properly  from  the  clergy 
only,  (to  whom  they  are  an  in- 
valuable treasure)  as  to  unfit 
them  for  general  use* 


VI  PREFACE. 

They  are  now  presented  to 
the  public  in  9,  separate  vol- 
ume ;  so  that  pious  christians 
may,  at  a  reasonable  expense, 
distribute  them  among  such 
people,  as  either  will  not  or 
cannot  buy  them  ;  and  the  pe- 
titions, peculiar  to  Ihe  clergy, 
are  thrown  out. 

The  pious  reader  will  find 
these  Meditations  and  Prayers 
too  long,  according  to  the  pre- 
sent division  of  them,  to  which 
there  is  no  occasion  of  adhering. 
He  may  take  them  up,  and  lay 
them  down,  at  his  own  discre- 
tion and  convenience.  It  is  re- 
commended to  him  to  go  thro' 
them  regularly,  and  to  contin- 
ue the  use  of  them  his  whole 
life,  selecting  such  parts  for  more 
frequent  meditation,  as  are  best 


PREFACE.  Vll 


adapted  to  his  necessity  and  dis- 
position. 

As  prayer  is  one  of  the  most 
important  works,  in  which  a 
man  can  be  engaged,  and  few 
find  themselves  able  to  dis- 
charge it  in  the  manner,  they 
wish  to  do  ;  it  is  humbly  hop- 
ed, that  this  book,  if  attended 
to,  as  it  deserves,  may  with 
God's  assistance  teach  them  to 
pray  ;  may  lead  their  thoughts 
to  meditate  on  religious  sub- 
jects ;  and  habituate  them  to 
clothe  their  meditations  in  the 
language  of  decent,  pious,  and 
fervent  prayer. 

That  this  valuable  book  may 
have  this  effect,  is  the  earnest 
prayer  of  THE  EDITOR. 


'te\ % 

» 


CA  f  o:i 
ON  DEVOTIO*  AND  PRAYER, 


X  RUE  devotion  consists  in  having 
our  hearts  always  devoted  to  God,  as  the  foun- 
tain of  all  happiness  ;  who  is  ready  to  hear 
and  help  his  otherwise  helpless,  miserable 
creatures.  It  is  to  be  attained, 

ist.  By  earnest  prayer.  HE,  THAT  HUN- 
GERS AFTER  RIGHTEOUSNESS,  WILL  CER- 
TAINLY BE  FILLED. 

2dly.  By  possessing  our  hearts  -with  a  deep 
sense  of  our  own  misery,  wants,  and  danger  ; 
this  is  the  grace  of  humility. 

3dly.  By  considering  God's  goodness,  pow- 
er, and  readiness,  to  help  us  ;  this  is  called 
faith  in  God. 

Lastly.  By  convincing  our  hearts  of  the 
insufficiency  of  every  thing  else  to  afford  us 
any  real  help  or  comfort  ;  this  is  to  be  effect- 
ed by r  self denial. 

Dying  persons  are   generally  more   devout 


10  ON    DEVOTION 

than  bthers,  because  they  then  see  their  own 
misery,  that  nothing  in  this  world  can  help 
them,  and  that  God  is  their  only  refuge.  We 
must  change  our  lives,  if  we  desire  to  change 
our  hearts.  God  will  have  no  regard  to  the 
prayers  of  those,  who  have  none  to  his  com- 
mands. The  Spirit  of  God  will  not  dwell  in 
a  divided  heart.  We  cannot  feel  the  pleasure 
of  devotion,  while  the  world  is  our  delight. 
Not  that  all  pleasures  are  criminal  ;  but  the 
closer  union  we  have  with  the  world,  the  less 
is  our  union  with  God.  A  Christian  there- 
fore, who  strives  after  devotion,  should  taste 
sensual  pleasures  very  sparingly,  should  make 
necessity,  not  bodily  delight,  his  rule. 

in  order  to  dispose  our  hearts  to  devotion, 
an  active  life  is  to  be  preferred  to  a  contempla- 
tive. Doing  good  to  mankind  disposes  the 
soul  most  powerfully  to  devotion.  Indeed 
we  are  surrounded  by  motives  to  piety  and 
devotion,  if  we  would  mind  them.  The  poor 
are  designed  to  excite  our  liberality  ;  the  mis- 
erable, our  pity  ;  the  sick,  our  assistance  ;  the 
ignorant,  onr  instructions  ';  those,  that  are  jfo/- 
kn,  our  helping  hand.  In  the  vain  we  see  the 


AND    PRAYER,  It 

vanity  of  this  world  ;  in  the  wicked,  our  own 
frailty.  When  we  see  good  men  rewarded,  it 
confirms  our  hope  ;  and,  when  evil  men  are 
punished,  it  excites  our  fear. 

He,  that  would  be  devout,  "must  beware  of 
indulging  a  habit  of  wandering  in  prayer.  It 
is  a  crims,  that  will  grow  upon  us,  and  will 
deprive  us  of  the  blessings  we  pray  for. 

Avoid  as  much,  as  may  be,  multiplicity 
of  business.  Neither  the  innocency,  nor  the 
goodness  of  the  employment,  will  excuse  us, 
if  it  possess  our  hearts,  when  we  are  praying 
to  God.  When  our  Lord  bids  us  to  take  no 
thought  for  the  morrow,  he  intended  to  hinder 
those  cares  and  fears,  which  are  apt  to  dis- 
tract our  devotions  ;  which  are  the  more  un- 
reasonable, because  they  never  can  change 
the  state  of  things. 

Never  be  curious  to  know,  what  passes  in 
the  world,  any  farther  than  duty  obliges  you; 
it  will  only  distract  the  mind,  when  it  should 
be  better  employed. 

Never  intermit  devotion,  if  you  can  help 
it ;  you  will  return  to  your  duty,  like  Sam- 
son,  when  his  locks  were  cut,  weak  and  in- 


ffc  ON    DEVOTION    &C. 

\ 

different,  as  other  people  of  the  world.  The 
oftener  we  renew  our  intercourse  with  God, 
the  greater  will  be  our  devotion.  Frequent 
prayer,  as  it  is  an  exercise  of  holy  thoughts, 
is  a  most  natural  remedy  against  the  power  of 
sin.  Importunity  makes  no  change  in  God, 
but  it  creates  in  us  such  dispositions,  as  God 
thinks  fit  to  reward. 

Make  it  a  law  to  yourself  to  meditate,  be- 
fore you  pray  ;  also  to  make  certain  pauses, 
to  see  whether  your  heart  go  along  with 
your  lips.  They,  whose  hearts  desire  noth- 

*ng)  Pray  far  nothing* 

Give  me*  O  God,  the  spirit  of  true  devo- 
tion ;  such,  as  may  give  life  to  all  my  pray- 
ers, so  that  they  may  find  acceptance  in  thy 
sight,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 


Matth.  vi.  6.  Thou,  when  thou  prayest,  enter 
into  thy  closet ;  and,  when  thou  hast  shut  thy 
door,  pray  to  thy  Father,  who  is  in  secret  ;  and 
thy  Father,  who  seeth  in  secret ,  shall  reward 
thee  openly. 

JLJLOW  good  is  God,  who  will  not  on- 
ly give  us.,  what  we  pray  for  ;  but  reward  us  for 
going  to  him,  and  laying  our  wants  before  him  !  .^ 

May  I  always  present  myself  before  God  with 
firm  faith  and  hope  in  his  promises  and  mercy  ; 
with  great  reverence  of  his  infinite  majesty  ; 
with  the  humility  of  an  offender  ;  and  with  full 
purpose  of  keeping  all  his  commandments  ! 

May  the  thoughts  of  eternity  quicken  my  de- 
votions ;  my  wants  make  me  earnest ;  my  back- 
slidings  make  me  persevere  ;  and  may  I  never 
wilfully  give  way  to  any  distracting  thoughts. 

May  I  wait  with  patience,  and  leave  it  to 
Thee,  my  God  and  Father,  how  and  when  to 
grant  my  petitions. 

He,  that  has  learned  to  pray,  as  he  ought, 
possesses  the  secret  of  a  holy  life. 

It  is  of  greater  advantage  to  us,  than  we  im- 
agine, that  God  does  not  grant  our  petitions 
immediately.  We  learn  by  this,  that,  whereun- 
to  we  have  already  attained,  /'/  was  the  gift  of 
God. 

B 


*4  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

The  best  way  to  prevent  wandering  in  pray- 
er is,  not  to 'let  the  mind  wander  too  much  at 
other  times  ;  but  to  have  God  always  in  our 
minds  in  the  whole  course  of  our  lives.  The 
end  of  prayer  is  not  to  inform  God,  but  to  give 
man  a  sight  of  his  own  misery  ;  to  raise  his  soul 
toward  Heaven,  and  to  put  him  in  mind,  that 
there  is  his  Father  and  his  inheritance. 

Mattb.  vii.  7.  Ask,  and  it  shall  be  given  you. 
Grant  me,  Lord,  that  faith,  which  shall  make 
ine  know  my  wants,  that  I  may  ask  with  earnest- 
ness and  humility,  and  depend  upon  thy  gra- 
cious promise. 

THEfpUTlES  Of  A  CHRISTIAN. 

That  man  leads  a  sincere  Christian  life, 

ist.  Who  endeavours  to  serve  and  obey  God 
to  the  best  of  his  understanding  and  power. 

2d.  Who  strives  to  please  his  neighbour  to 
edification. 

3d.  Who  endeavours  to  do  his  duty  in  that 
state  of  life,  unto  which  it  has  pleased  God  to 
call  him. 

Whoever  w^ould  continue  in  the  practice  of 
these  things  unto  his  life's  end,  it  is  necessary 
"that  he  call  himself  often  to  account,  whether 
he  do  so  or  not  ;  constantly  pray  for  grace  to 
know,  and  to  do  his  duty  ;  and  preserve  him- 
self in  such  a  temper,  as  to  be  always  ready  to  re- 
ceive the  truth, \\  hen  it  is  fairly  proposed  to  him. 

It  is  rudeness  among  men  to  ask  a  favor,  and 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  15 

not  stay  for  an  answer  ;  and  do  we  count  it  no 
fault  to  pray  for  blessing*,  and  never  to  think: 
of  them  afterward,  never  to  wait  for  them,  nev- 
er to  give  God  thanks  for  them  ? 

Let  us  make  prayer  familiar  to  us ;  for  with- 
out the  help  of  God  we  are  every  hour  in  dan- 
ger. The  devil  knows  that,  when  we  have  a 
relish  for  prayer,  and  apply  ourselves  in  good' 
earnest  to  it,  we  are  in  the  way  of  life  ;  he 
therefore  strives  by  all  ways  possible  to  divert 
us. 

Let  us  not  run  over  our  prayers  with  an  in- 
sensible and  distracted  mind.  Let  our  prayers 
be  as  particular,  as  may  be,  against  the  sins  of 
our  particular  state,  and  for  the  graces,  which 
in  particular  we  most  need.  This  is  the  best 
preservative  against  sin  ;  makes  us  best  acquaint- 
ed witb  our  condition  •>  puts  us  continually  in 
mind  of  mending,  what  is  amiss  ;  lets  us  see., 
what  particular  graces  we  most  want,  what  are 
most  needful  for  the  cure  of  our  own  particular 
corruption  and  disorder  ;  and  is  the  best  trial 
of  our  hearts;  For  example  ;  if  I  pray  for 
charity^  and  for  every  instance,  which  is  necessa- 
ry to  render  me  truly  charitable,  I  pray  for  grace,,. 
to  avoid  evilspeaking,  to  pray  for  my  enemies, 
to  do  them  good,  &c.  and  so  of  all  other  sins 
and  graces. 

God  grant  that  I  may  never  seek  his  face  in 
vain  ! 

Luke  xi.  i.  Lord,  teach  us  to  pray.  Pour 
upon  us  the  spirit  of  suppuration -and  prayer.. 


t6  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

God  will  deny  us  nothing,  that  we  ask  in 
of  his  Son. 


Prayers  through  Jesus  Christ, 

When  we  offer  our  prayers  through  his  medi- 
ation, it  is  he,  that  prays  ;  his  love,  that  inter- 
cedes  ;  his  blood,  that  pleads  j  it  is  he,  who  ob- 
tains all  from  hisTather. 

PREPARATORY  PRAYER. 

O  Holy  Spirit  of  grace,  give  us  a  true  sight 
of  our  miseries,  and  sincere  shame  and  sorrow, 
when  we  make  confession  of  our  sins  ;  a  feel- 
ing sense  of  our  need  of  mercy,  and  hope  of 
obtaining  pardon,  when  we  beg  it  for  thy  Son's 
sake.  May  we  resign  our  will  to  Thee  and  to 
thy  goodness,  when  we  pray  for  temporal 
things  ;  and,  when  we  pray  for  spiritual  graces, 
may  we  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness  ! 
Give  us  real  love  for  thy  holy  word,  and  grace 
to  hear  it  with  attention.  May  we  thankfully 
close  with  all  the  means  of  grace  and  salvation  ! 
When  we  praise  Thee  for  thy  works  of  na- 
ture and  of  grace,  and  give  Thee  thanks  for  thy 
mercies  ;  let  us  do  it  with  high  esteem  and 
gratitude.  Cause  us  to  hear  thy  holy  word 
with  faith  and  attention,  and  to  profit  by  what 
we  hear,  that  we  may  return  from  thy  church 
with  a  blessing. 


SACRA  PRIVATA..  17 

MORNING    PRAYER. 

Joshua  xxi v.  15.       Choose. you  ibis  day,  whonr 
you  will  serve. 

W  HOM  have  I  in  heaven,  but  Thee, 
O  Lord  ?  There  is  none  on  earth,  that  I  desire, 
beside  1  hee.  Thou  art  my  God,  and  I  will 
rhank  Thee.  Thou  art  my  God,  and  I  will  serve 
Thee.  Be  thou  my  only  ruler  and  governor. 

They,  that  have  a  convenient  place  to  sleep 

in5  find  they,   that    have  the  comfort  of  sleep, 

have  both  great  reason  to  be  thankful  ;    and 

they,  that  want   these  mercies,  ought  to 

bless  God,  if  in  the  midst  of  their  afflictions  he 

'is  pleased  to  refresh  them  with  the  comforts  of 

Gracious  God,  continue  to  me  these  favors 
ng,  and  in  such  measure,  as  shall  most  con- 
tribute to  thy  honor  and  my  salvation  ;  and  in 
great  mercy  support  and  relieve  all,  that  \vant 
these  blessings. 

What  shall  I  offer  unto  the  Lord  for  his  mer- 
cies, renewed  unto  me  every  morning  ?  The 
sacrifice  of  God  is  a  troubled  spirit  ;  a  broken 
and  contrite  heart  God  will  not  despise  !  But 
most  unfit  is  mine  to  be  presented  to  God  be- 
fore I  have  obtained  his  pardon  through  the 
merits  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  for  the  many  sins,  by 
which  it  hath  been  defiled. 

jfer.  iii.  12.  I  am  merciful,  saith  the  Lord, 
and  I  will  not  keep  anger  forever.  Only  ao 
B  2 


*8  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

knowledge  thine  .iniquity,  that  thou  hast  trans- 
gressed against  the  Lord  thy  God.  Ps.  x^xii.  5. 
I  acknowledge  my  sin  unto  thee,  O  Goci^  and 
mine  iniquities  will  I  not  hide. 

I  do  therefore  implore  thy  pardon,  and  plead 
thy  gracious  promises,  with  full  purpose  of 
heart,  by  the  assistance  of  thy  grace,  never  again 
to  return  to  folly. 

Jer.  xvii.  9.  The  heart  is  deceitful  above  all 
things, and  desperately  wicked;  whocan  knowit? 

I  cannot  answer  for  my  own  heart  ;  but  there 
is  no  word,  O  Lord,  impossible  with  Thee.  Tn 
Thee  I  do  put  my  trust  ;  let  me  never  be  put  to 
confusion.  Keep  it  ever  in  the  heart  of  thy 
servant,  that  it  is  indeed  an  evil  thing  and  bitter 
to  offend  the  Lord.  Keep  me  from  presumptu- 
ous sins,  that  I  may  never  grieve  thy  Holy  Spir- 
it, nor  provoke  Thee  to  leave  me  to  myself. 

Matth.  xxvi.  41.  Watch  and  pray,  that  ye 
enter  not  into  temptation. 

Lord,  make  me  ever  mindful  of  my  infirmi- 
ties and  backslidings,  that  I  may  be  more  watch- 
ful, and  more  importunate  for  grace,  for  the 
time  to  come. 

i  Pet.  v.  8.  Be  sober,  be  vigilant  ;  because 
your  adversary  the  devil,  as  a  roaring  lion,  walk- 
etl,  about,  seeking  whom  he  may  devour. 

O  Lord,  grant  that  this  adversary  of  our 
souls  m:ay  never  find  me  off  my  guard,  nor  from 
under  thy  protection. 

_Matth.  xvi.  24.  If  any  man  will  come  after 
me,  let  him  deny  himself,  and  take  up  his  cross, 
and  follow  me. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  19- 

O  my  Saviour,  how  long  have  I  professed  to 
follow  Thee,  without  following  the  blessed  steps 
of  thy  most  holy  life,  thy  patience  and  humility ', 
thy  disregard  for  the  world,  its  pleasures,  prof- 
its, honors,  and  idols.  O  Lord,  obtain  for  me 
the  spirit  of  mortification  and  selfdenial,  that  I 
may  follow  Thee,  as  I  hope  to  live  with  Thee 
forever.  Amen. 

Matth.  vi.  24.  No  mafa  can  serve  two  mas- 
ters. Ye  cannot  serve  God  and  mammon. 

May  my  fear  and  love  never  be  divided  be- 
tween Thee  and  the  world !  May  I  never  set 
up  any  thing,  O  God,  in  competition  with  Thee 
in  my  heart !  May  I  never  attempt  to  reconcile 
thy  service  with  that  world,  which  is  at  enmity 
with  Thee,  my  God  and  Father ! 

Mark  x,  17.  What  shall  I  do,  that  I  may 
inherit  eternal  life  ? 

Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy 
heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy 
mind  ;  and  thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbour,  as 
thyself. 

O  that  this  love  of  God  may  be  the  command- 
ing principle  of  iviy  soul  !  May  I  always  have 
this  comfortable  proof  of  his  love  abiding  in'me. 
that  I  study  to  please  him,  and  to  keep  his  com- 
mandmentsi  May -my  love  of  my  neighbour  be 
such,  as  he  has  commanded,  that  I  may  forgive. 
and  give,  and  love,  as  becomes  a  disciple  of  Je- 
sus Christ  !  Amen. 

Eccles.  xii:  13-;  Fear  God  ani  keep  his  com- 
mandments, for  this  is  the- whole  duty  of  man  ; 
that  is,  the  happiness  of  man. 


2c  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

May  I,  great  God,  continue  in  thy  fear  air 
the  day  long  !  May  I  keep  thy  statutes,  and  ob- 
serve thy  laws  I 

Heb.  iv-  13.     All  things  are  naked  and  open 
unto  the  eyes  of  him,  with  whom  we  have  to  do- 
Grant  that  I  may  always  live  and  act,  as  hav- 
ing Thee,  O  God,  the  constant  witness  of  my 
conduct,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 

Eccles.  ix.  10,  Whatsoever  thy  hand  findeth 
to  do,  do  *t  \vith  all  thy  might ;  for  the  night 
cometh,  when  no  man  can  work- 
Make  me,  O  Lord,  ever  sensible  of  the  great 
evil  of  delaying  the  work,  which  Thou  hast  ap- 
pointed, lest  the  night  surprise  me  unawares.. 

i  John  v.  14,  This  is  the  confidence,  wre 
have  in  God,  that,  if  we  ask  any  thing  accord- 
ing to  his  will,  he  heareth  us. 

That  it  may  be  unto  thy  servant  according  to 
this  w7ord,  I  beseech  Thee  to  hear  me  in  the  full 
import  of  that  holy  prayer,  which  thy  blessed. 
Son  hath  taught  us  ;, 

OUR  FATHER,  WHO  ART  IN  HEAVEN  ; 

In  whom  we  live,  and  move,  and.  have  our  be- 
ing; grant  that  I  and  all  Christians  may  live 
worthy  of  this  glorious  relation,  and  that  we  may 
not  sin,  knowing  that  we  are  accounted  thine. 
We  are  thine  by  adoption  5  O  make  us  thine 
by  choice. 

HALLOWED  BE   THY  NAME- 

O  God,  whose  name  is  great,  wonderful,  and 
holy,  grant  that  I  ana  all  thy  children  may  glo- 
rify Thee,  not  only  with  our  lips,  but  in  our 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  21 

lives  ;  that  others,  seeing  our  good  works,  may 
glorify  our  Father,  who  is  in  Heaven. 

THY   KINGDOM   COME. 

May  the  kingdoms  of  the  world  become  the 
kingdoms  of  the  Lord  and  of  his  Christ  :  and 
may  all,  that  own  Thee  for  their  king,  become 
thy  faithful  subjects,  ^nd  obey  thy  laws  !  De- 
throne, O  God,  and  destroy  Satan,  and  his 
kingdom  ;  and  enlarge  the  kingdom  of  grace. 

THY  WILL  BE  DONE  ON   EARTH,  AS  IT  IS 
IN  HEAVEN. 

We  adore  thy  goodness,  O  God,  in  making  thy 
will  known  to  us  in  thy  holy  word.  May  this 
thy  word  be  the  rule  of  our  will,  of  our  desires, 
of  our  lives,  and  actions  !  May  we  ever  sacrifice 
our  will  to  thine  ;  be  pleased  with  all  thy  choic- 
es for  ourselves  and  others,  and  adore  thy  prov- 
idence in  the  government  of  the  world. 

GIVE  US   THIS   DAY  OUR  DAILY  BREAD. 

O  Heavenly  Father,  who  knowest  what  we  need^ 
give  us  the  necessaries  and  comforts  of  this  life 
with  thy  blessing ;  but  above  all  give  us  the 
bread,  that  nourisheth  to  eternal  life. 

Acts  xvii.  O  God,  who  givest  to  all  life, 
and  breath,  and  all  things ;  give  us  grace  to  im- 
part to  such,  as  are  in  want,  of  what  Thou  hast 
given  more  than  our  daily  bread. 

AND  FORGIVE   US  OUR   TRESPASSES., 

AS   WE   FORGIVE   THEM,    WHO 

TRESPASS  AGAINST   US. 

Make  us  truly  sensible  of  thy  goodness,  and  mer- 
cy, and  patience  toward  us?  that  we  may  from 


as  SACRA  FRIVATA. 

our  hearts  forgive  every  one  his  brother  his- 
trespasses.  May  my  enemies  ever  have  place 
in  my  prayers,  and  in  thy  mercy  ! 

AND  LEAD  US  NOT  INTO  TEMPTATION. 

Support  us,  O  Heavenly  Father,  under  all  our 
saving  trials,  and  grant  that  they  may  yield  us 
the  peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness. 

BUT  DELIVER   US   FROM  KVIL. 

From  ail  sin  and  wickedness^  from  our  spiritu- 
al enemy,  and  from  everlasting  death,  good 
Lord,  deliver  us.  Deliver  us  from  the  evil  of 
sin,  and  from  the  evil  of  punishment.  Deliver 
us,  O  Heavenly  Father,  from  our  evil  and  cor- 
rupt nature,  from  the  temptations  and  snares  of 
an  evil  world,  and*from  falling  again  into  the 
sins,  we  have  repented  of. 

FOR  THINE  IS  THE   KINGDOM,   AND  THE 

POWER,  AND  THE  GLORY,  FOREVER 

AND,  EVER.       AMEN. 

By  thy  Almighty  power,  O  King  of  Heaven^ 
for  the  glory  of  thy  name,  and  for  the  love  of 
a  Father,  grant  us  all  these  blessings,  for  which 
thy  Son  hath  taught  us  to  pray. 

Unto  Him,  who  is  able  to  do  for  us  abun- 
dantly more,  than  we  can  ask  or  think  ;  unto 
him  be  glory  in  the  church  by  Christ  Jesus, 
throughout  all  ages,  world  without  end.  Amen, 

To  God  the  Creator,  Preserver,  and  Disposer 
of  all  things,  be  the  glory  of  all  the  good, 
wrought  in  us,  by  us,  and  upon  us. 

Blessing,  andg/0ry,  and  wisdom^nd  thanksgiv- 
ing,  and  honor,  and  power,  and  might,  be  unto; 
our  God  forever  and  ever.  Amen. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  23 

Thy  infinite  power ,  wisdom ,  goodness ,  faithful- 
ness,  and  truth  are  the  only  sure  foundation,  on 
which  we  may  depend.  O  give  us  firm  faith  in 
these  thy  glorious  perfections. 

With  Angels  and  Archangels,  and  all  the 
company  of  Heaven,  we  praise  and  magnify  thy 
glorious  name,  evermore  praising  Thee,  and  say- 
ing,  holy,  holy,  holy  LORD  GOD  of  Hosts, 
Heaven  and  earth  are  full  of  thy  glory.  Glory 
be  to  Thee,  O  GOD  most  High.  Amen. 

Jude  24,  25.  Now  unto  Him,  who  is  able 
to  keep  you  from  falling,  and  to  present  you 
faultless  before  the  pesence  of  his  glory  with 
exceeding  joy  ;  to  the  only  wise  GOD  our  Sav- 
iour, be  glory  and  majesty,  dominion  and  pow- 
er, both  now  .and  ever.  Amen. 

Ro?n.  xi.  36,  For  of  Him,  and  through  Him, 
and  to  Him  are  all  things  ;  to  whom  be  glory 
forever.  Amen. 

Rom.  xvi  27.  To  GOD  only  wise,  be  glory 
through  Jesus  Christ  forever  and  ever.  Amen. 

Mark  ix.  23,  All  things  are  possible  to  him, 
that  believeth. 

Yes,  Lord,  and  therefore  I  beg  this  faith  of 
Him,  to  whom  all  things  are  possible,  that  I 
may  be  able  to  discover •,  to  avoid,  to  resist,  and 
to  root  out,  whatever  is  evil  in  me. 

O  Jesus,  obtain  this  grace  for  thy  otherwise 
helpless  creature.  Grant,  that  I  may  this  day 
-escape  all  snares,  laid  for  me  by  the  devil,  the 
^world,  or  my  own  corrupt  heart.  Grant  that 
J  may  this  day  -omit  no  part  of  my  duty. 


M  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

i  Tim.  iv.  15.  Give  thyself  wholly  to  these 
things,  that  thy  profiting  may  appear  to  all. 

God  grant  that  I  may  do  so  ;  and  I  pray  God 
to  preserve  me  from  ease,  idleness,  and  trifling  a- 
way  my  precious  time. 

Philemon  4.  I  thank  my  God,  making  men- 
tion of  thee  always  in  my  prayers. 

Extend,  and  suit  thy  graces  to  all  conditions 
of  men,  that  we  may  all  be  upright  in  our 
dealings,  obedient  to  our  governors,  peaceable 
in  our  lives,  sober,  honest,  temperate,  chaste  in 
our  conversation,  and  charitable  to  the  poor, 
and  one  toward  another. 

Increase  the  number  and  graces  of  all  such, 
as  love  and  fear  Thee.  Enlighten  the  minds  of 
the  ignorant, 'awaken  the  consciences  of  the  care- 
less,  silence  gainsayers^  convert  the  profane,  and 
all,  that  hold  the  truth  in  unrighteousness. 

Rebuke  the  spirit  of  antichrist,  idolatry,  and 
libertinism  ;  the  sins  of  drunkenness,  whoredom, 
litigiousness,  and  of  defrauding  the  public. 

In  tender  mercy  remember,  O  God,  all  sick 
and  dying  per  sons )  that  they  nvay  omit  nothing, 
that  is  necessary  to  make  their  peace  with  Thee. 
Be  gracious  unto  all,  that  are  under  any  afflic- 
tion of  mind  or  body,  or  under  any  pressing  ca- 
lamity ;  all  desolate  widows  and  fatherless  chil- 
dren ;  all,  that  call  upon  Thee  in  their  dibtress, 
and  have  none  else  to  help  them. 

Prov.  xxi.  i.     The  king's  power  is  in   the' 
hands  of  the  Lord  ;  as  the  rivers  of  waters,  he 
turneth  it  whithersoever  he  will. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  25 

'Let  this  thy  power,  O  Lord,  be  magnified  on 
all,  that  are  put  in  authority  over  us,  that  we 
may  be  governed  with  truth  and  justice  by  men, 
fearing  and  honoring  God,  protecting  the 
Christian  religion,  and  punishing  evildoers. 
To  this  end  vouchsafe  them,  Ibeseech  thee,  all 
the  graces  necessary  for  their  high  station,  and 
for  their  eternal  happiness. 

Col.  iv.  i.  Masters,  give  unto  your  servants 
that,  which  is  just  and  equal,  knowing  that  ye 
also  have  a  Master  in  Heaven. 

O  heavenly  Lord  and  Master,  bless  me  with 
good  and  faithful  servants.  Let  thy  blessing  be 
upon  them  and  upon  my  affairs,  committed  to 
their  care  ;  and  may  I  never  be  wanting  in  my 
duty  to  them,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 

Relations,  Benefactors,  Sfftr. 

Be  gracious,  O  God,  to  all  my  relations,  ben- 
efactors, enemies  ;  and  to  all,  that  have  desired 
my  prayers  ;  to  all,  who  by  their  own  labors  do 
minister  to  our  necessities  ;  together  with  all  our 
known  and  unknown  benefactors.  Render,  O 
God,  a  good  reward  and  a  plentiful  return  to  all 
those,  who  have  been  kind  and  charitable.  Grant 
'that  we  may  all  so  live  here,  that  we  may  meet 
hereafter  in  the  Paradise  of  God. 

yobn  xvi.  23.  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  what- 
soever you  shall  ask  the  Father  in  my  name,  he 
will  give  it  you. 

These  are  what  I  ask,  O  God  and  Father^ 
above  all  things,  for  myself,  and  for  all,  that 
C 


s5  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

have  desired  my  prayers  ;  that  we  may  be  re- 
stored to  thy  likeness,  and  never  deface  it  by 
our  sins ;  that  the  image  of  satan  may  be  de- 
stroyed in  us ;  that  all  carnal  affections  may 
die  in  us  ;  and  that  all  things,  belonging  to  the 
Spirit,  may  dwell  in  our  hearts  by  faith  ;  that 
thy  name,  and  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
may  be  glorified  in  us,  and  we  in  him  ;  that  our 
hearts  may  be  entirely  thine;  that  We  may  nev- 
er grieve  thy  Holy  Spirit  ;  but  that  we  may 
continue  thine  forever,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 
Amen. 

Ephes.  iv.  29.  Let  no  corrupt  communica- 
tion proceed  out  of  your  mouth  ;  but  that, 
which  is  good  to  the  use  of  edifying,  that  it  may 
minister  grace  unto  the  hearers. 

Grant,  O  God,  that  I  may  delight  in  thy 
law  ;  that  my  conversation  may  be  truly  chris- 
tian.  May  I  never  hear  with  pleasure,  nor  ever 
repeat  such  things,  as  may  dishonor  God,  or 
injure  my  neighbour,  or  my  own  character. 

y antes  iv.  1 1 .     Speak  not  evil  one  of  another. 

Ephes.  v.  4.  Foolish  talking  or  jesting  are 
not  convenient,  but  rather  giving  of  thanks. 

Psa.  cxxxiii.  3.  Set  a  watch,  O  Lord,  be- 
fore my  mouth,  and  keep  the  door  of  my  lips* 

Matth.  xii.  34.     Out  of  the   abundance   of 
the  heart  the  mouth  speaketh.     How  can  ye, 
-being  evil,  speak  good  things  ? 

O  Holy  Spirit  of  Grace,  enable  me  to  over- 
come the  shame   of  a  degenerate  age*  which 
will  hear  nothing  with  delight,  but  what  con- 
cerns this  world.     O  touch  my  heart  with  the 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  27: 


true  love  of  God,  the  excellencies  of  his 
the  pleasantness  of  his  service,  and  the  won- 
ders of  his  providence.  This  I  beg  for  Jesus 
Christ's  sake. 

"John  xv.  7.  Ask  what  ye  will,  and  it  shall 
be  done  unto  you. 

These,  O  Jesus,  are  the  things,  that  I  ask. 
Intercede  for  me,  that  I  may  be  truly  sensible  of 
the  diseases  I  labor  under,  and  thankfully  em- 
brace the  means,  which  thy  goodness  hath  or- 
dained for  my  recovery. 

Grant  that  the  end  of  all  my  actions,  and  de- 
signs, may  be  the  glory  of  God.  Enable  me  to 
resist  all  the  sinful  appetites  of  my  corrupt  na- 
ture. Grant  that  I  may  hunger  and  thirst  af- 
ter righteousness. 

Vouchsafe  me  the  spirit  of  adoption,  of  sup- 
plication and  prayer,  of  praise  and  thanksgiving, 

Obtain  for  me,  O  Jesus,  the  graces  of  mor- 
tification and  selfdenial  ;  the  graces  of  true 
humility,  and  the  fear  of  God. 

Grant,  O  God,  that  I  may  never  knowingly 
live  one  moment  under  thy  displeasure,  nor  ifi 
any  known  sin. 

Grant,  O  God,  that,  as  I  have  been  made  thy 
child  by  adoption  and  grace,  I  may  daily  be  re- 
newed by  thy  Holy  Spirit,  for  Jesus  Christ's 
sake, 

Enable  me,  gracious  God,  to  escape  the  cor- 
ruption,  that  is  in  the  world  through  lust,  that 
I  may  be  partaker  of  the  Divine  Nature. 

Lord,  grant  me  grace  to  withstand  the  tempt- 
ations of  the  world,  the  fle^h,  and  the  devil; 


28  SACRA  PRIVATA, 

and  with  a  pure  heart  and  mind  to  follow  Thee9 
the  only  God,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 

Let  thy  Love,  O  God,  be  shed  abroad  in 
my  heart  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 
grant  that  it  may  appear  in  my  life,  conversation, 
words,  and  actions,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 

Blessed  be  God,  that  I  was  admitted  into  the 
fellowship  of  Christ's  religion.  Grant,  O  God, 
that  I  may  eschew  all  those  thing,  that  are  con- 
trary to  my  profession,  and  follow  all  such 
things,  as  are  agreeable  to  the  same,  for  Jesus 
Christ's  sake. 

Keep  me,  I  beseech  Thee,  O  Heavenly  Fa- 
ther, under  the  protection  of  thy  good  provi- 
dence, and  make  me  to  have  perpetual  fear  and 
love  of  thy  holy  name,  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord. 

Put  away  from  me  all  hurtful  things,  and 
give  me  those  things,  that  may  be  profitable  for 
me,  through  Jesus  Christ. 

Mercifully  grant  unto  me,  O  God,  such  a 
measure  of  thy  grace,  that,  running  the  way 
of  thy  commandments,  I  may  obtain  thy  gra- 
cious promises,  and  be  made  partaker  of  thy 
heavenly  treasure,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.  Amen. 

Forgive  me  those  things,  whereof  my  con- 
science is  afraid,  and  give  me  those  good  things, 
which  we  are  not  worthy  to  ask,  but  through 
the  merits  and  mediation  of  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ. 

That  I  may  obtain  that,  \\hich   thou  dost 


T, 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  29- 

promise,  make  me  to  love  that,  which  thou  dost, 
command,  through  Jesus  Christ. 

Keep  me  from  all  things  hurtful,  and  lead 
me   to   all   things  necessary  to   my  salvation,, 
through  Jesus  Christ. 

The  Lord  deliver  me  from  every  evil  work, 
and  preserve  me  to  his  heavenly  kingdom  j  to 
whom  be  glory  forever  and  ever.  Amen. 

O  that  thy  Holy  Spirit  may  direct  and  rule 
my  heart,  O  God,  through  Jesus  Christ ! 

Of  thy  bountiful  goodness,  O  Lord,  keep 
me,  I  beseech  Thee,  from  all  things,  that  may 
hurt  me,  that  I  may  cheerfully  accomplish  those 
things,  which  thou  wouldest  have  done,  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

Grant,  O  God,  that  T  may  be  cleansed  from 
all  my  sins,  and  serve  Thee  with  a  quiet  mind, 
through  Jesus  Christ.  Deliver  me,  O  Lord, 
from  the  bonds  of  those  sins,  which  through  my 
frailty  I  have  commit  ted,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 

Faith. 

O  that  I  may  believe  in  Thee,  O  God,  and 
put  my  whole  trust  and  confidence  in  Thee  alone, 
and  not  in  any  thing,  that  I  myself  can  do. 

Grant,  O  God,  that  I  may  so  perfectly,  and 
without  all  doubt  believe  in  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ,  that  my  faith  in  thy  sight  may  never  be 
reproved,  for  the  sake  of  the  same  Jesus  Christ. 

Against  wavering. 

Grant,  O  God,  that  we  may  not  be  carried 
about  with  every  blast  of  vain  doctrine,  but  that 

C  2 


30  SACRA  PRIVATA, 

we  may  be  firmly  established  in  the  truth  of  thy 
holy  gospel,  through  Jesus  Christ. 

Grant,  O  God,  that  I  may  perfectly  know 
thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  to  be  the  Way,  the  Truth, 
and  the  Life ;  the  Author  of  the  Way,  the 
Teacher  of  the  Truth,  and  the  Giver  of  Life  ; 
that  I  may  siedfastly  walk  in  the  way,  that  lead- 
eth  to  eternal  life,  through  the  same  Jesus  Christ. 

Covetousness. 

Give  me  grace  to  forsake  all  covetous  desires, 
and  inordinate  love  of  riches,  through  Jesus 
Christ. 

Grant  that  I  may  both  perceive  and  know, 
what  things  I  ought  to  do,  and  also  may  have 
grace  and  power  faithfully  to  fulfil  the  same, 
through  Jesus  Christ. 

Grant  me,  O  God,  the  true  circumcision  of 
the  spirit,  that  my  heart  and  all  my  members, 
being  mortified  from  all  carnal  lusts,  I  may  in 
all  things  obey  thy  blessed  will. 

O  that  we,  who  know  Thee  now  by  faith, 
may  after  this  life  have  the  fruition  of  thy  glo- 
rious Godhead  ! 

In  all  our  dangers  and  necessities,  stretch 
forth  thy  right  hand  to  save  and  defend  us. 

Charity. 

O  send  thy  Holy  Ghost,  and  pour  into  my 
heart  that  most  excellent  gift  of  charity,  that 
very  bond  of  peace  and  of  all  virtue,  without 
which  whosoever  liveth  is  counted  dead  before 
Thee! 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  3-1 

Grant,  I  do  most  humbly  beseech  Thee,  O 
God,  thai  as  by  thy  special  grace  Thou  dost  put 
into  my  mind  good  desires,  so  by  thy  continual 
help  I  may  bring  the  same  to  good  effect,  through 
Jesus  Christ. 

O  everlasting  God,  grant  that,  as  thy  holy 
Angels  always  do  Thee  service  in  Heaven,  so  by 
thy  appointment  they  may  succor  and  defend 
us  on  earth,  through  Jesus  Christ. 

Grant  me  grace  so  to  follow  thy  blessed  Saints 
in  virtuous  and  Godly  living,  that  I  may  come 
to  those  unspeakable  joys,  which  thou  hast  pre- 
pared for  them,  that  unfeignedly  love  Thee. 

'  I  pray  God  my  whole  Spirit,  (my  understand- 
ing, will,  and  conscience,)  my  soul,  (my  appe- 
tites, affections,  and  passions,)  and  my  body,  (the 
tabernacle  of  my  soul)  be  preserved  blameless 
unto  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

May  I  take  pleasure  in  abiding  in  thy  pres- 
ence, O  God,  in  depending  upon  Thee,  in  leav- 
ing myself  entirely  to  thy  disposal,  as  a  contin- 
al  sacrifice  to  thy  will. 

Give  me  victory  over  all  my  sins  and  imperfec- 
tions ;  increase  in  me  the  graces  of  faith  ^  hope^ 
and  charity  ;  of  humility,  meekness  ^  patience^  re- 
signation^ and  all  other  Christian  virtues,  for 
Jesus  Christ's  sake. 

Preserve  me,  gracious  God,  from  spiritual 
pride  ;  from  ascribing  any  thing,  I  have  done, 
or  can  do,  to  myself,  and  robbing  Thee  of  the 
glory  of  saving  me  from  eternal  ruin. 

Take  possession,  O  Jesus,  of  thy  right  in  my 
soul,  which  thou  hast  redeemed  with  thy  most 


32  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

precious  blood,  and  root  out  all  selfrighteous-' 
ness,  selfinterest,  and  selfwill  ;   that  Thou  may- 
est  be  my  righteousness,  and  all  in  me. 

Repentance. 

Give  me,  O  God,  such  sorrow  for  my  sins,  as 
shall  enable  me   to  embrace  all  the  necessary 
means,  how  bitter  soever,  for  rooting  sin  out  of; 
my  soul. 

Humility. 

i  Pet.  v.  5.  God  resisteth  the  proud,  and 
giveth  grace  to  the  humble. 

I  have  all  the  reason  in  the  world  to  be  hum- 
ble. Without  God  I  am  nothing.  Without' 
his  help  and  grace  I  can  do  nothing,  that  is  good. 
Of  myself  I  deserve  nothing  but  punishment. 
Of  my  own  I  have  nothing,  but  faults,  imper- 
fections, and  sins,  an  inclination  to  evil,  an  aver- 
sion to  good,  unruly  senses,  ungovernable  pas- 
sions, ungovernable  affections. 

i  Cor.  i.  30.  O  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  art 
made  unto  us  of  God  our  wisdom,  by  revealing 
him  and  his  glorious  perfections  ;  our  righteous- 
ness, by  satisfying  the  justice  of  God  inour  nature; 
our  'fantttjUea+iohi  by  procuring  for  us  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  oy  restoring  us,  being  sinners,  to 
God's  favor  ;  our  redemption^  by  redeeming  us 
from  death  eternal.  O  Jesus,  for  these  mighty 
favors  all  love  and  glory  be  to  Thee  with  the 
Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost  forever.  Amen. 

'The  way  of  a  Happy  Life. 
Lay  nothing  too  much  to  heart,  desire  noth- 


SACRA  PRIVATA,  33 

ing  two  eagerly,  rejoice  not  excessively,  nor 
grieve  too  much  for  disasters  ;  be  not  violently 
bent  on  any  design,  nor  let  any  worldly  cares 
hinder  you  from  taking  care  of  your  soul  ;  and 
remember  that  it  is  necessary  to  be  a  Christian 
(that  is,  to  govern  one's  self  by  motives  of  Chris- 
tianity) in  the  mosr  common  actions  of  civil  life. 

Col.  iii.  17.  Whatsoever  ye  do  in  word  or 
in  deed,  do  all  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
giving  thanks  to  God  and  the  Father  by  him. 

He,  that  would  not  fall  into  temptation,  must 
Have  presence  of  mind,  a  watchful  eye  over  him- 
self ;  he  must  have  great  things  in  view,  distin- 
guish betwixt  time  and  eternity  ;  or  else  he  will 
follow  what  pasion,  not  what  reason  and  reli- 
gion suggest. 

Christian  Perfections. 

Whoever  aspires  after  being  so  united  to  God3 
as  to  be  one  spirit  with  him,  must  resolve  to  do 
all  things  with  this  sole  view,  TO  PLEASE  GOD. 
This  I  purpose,  this  I  forbear,  this  I  undertake,, 
this  I  do,  this  I  suffer,  in  obedience  to  the  will 
of  GOD.  This  should  be  our  express  purpose  at 
all  times,  when  we  have  time  to  make  it ;  and 
should  be  often  renewed,  lest  our  own  will  come 
to  be  the  rule  of  our  actions.  If  I  be  careful  to 
do  this,  I  shall  always  have  my  end,  whether  I 
succeed,  or  be  disappointed,  being  convinced  it 
is  God's  will. 

Rom.  xvi.  14.  Put  ye  on  the  Lord  Jesus, 
and  make  not  provision  for  the  flesh,  to  fulfil 
the  lusts  thereof. 

Grant,  O  Lord,  that  "I  may  keep  under  my 


34  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

body,  and  bring  it  into  subjection,  lest  by  any 
means  I  be  a  castaway/' 

"  Be  ye  all  of  one  mind,  having  comprfo^ion 
one  of  another.  Be  pitiful,  be  courteous  ;  not 
rendering  evil .  for  evil,  nor  railing  for  railing, 
but  contrarywise  blessing.  For  he3  that  will 
love  life,  and  see  good  days,  let  him  refrain  his 
tongue  from  evil,  and  his  lips,  that  they  speak 
no  guile.  Let  him  eschew  evil,  and  do  good  j. 
let  him  seek  peace,  and  ensue  it/' 

Give  me,  O  Lord,  a  wise,  a  sober,  a  serious, 
a  religious  heart.  Preserve  me  from  evil  coun- 
sels, and  rash  enterprises.  O  make  thy  way. 
plain  before  my  face. 

Support  me  this  day  under  all  the  difficulties, 
I  shall  meet.  -  I  offer  myself  to  Thee,  O  God, 
this  day,  to  do  in  me,  and  with  me,  as  to  Thee 
seems  most  meet. 

Vouchsafe  me,  gracious  God,  the  spirit  of 
adoption,  whereby  I  may  cry,  Abba^  Father^ 
and  apply  to  Thee,  through  Jesus  Christ,  not  as 
an  angry  judge,  but  as  a  merciful  and  loving 
father. 

Remember  that  the  life  of  man  is  to  be  valu- 
ed only  for  its  usefulness. 

yohn  xv.  1 2.  This  is  my  commandment,  that 
ye  love  one  another. 

O  Thou,  who  hast  given  me  this  command 
and  pattern,  give  me  a  sincere  desire  of  follow- 
ing, and  grace  and  power  to  do  it. 

James  v.  1 5.  And  the  prayer  of  faith  shall  save 
the  sick,  and  the  Lord  shall  raise  him  up  ;  and, 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  35 

if  he  have  committed  sins,  he  shall  be  absolved, 
[i.  e.  upon  his  confession,] 

O  Lord  of  life  and  death,  have  mercy  upon 
all  those,  who  are  visited  with  sickness  ;  sanctify  . 
this  thy  fatherly  correction,  that  they  may  search 
their  ways,  and  see,  whence  this  visitation  com- 
eth.  Have  mercy  upon  all,  that  are  appointed 
to  die,  and  grant  that  they  omit  nothing,  that 
is  necessary  to  make  their  peace  with  Thee, 
and  that  they  may  be  delivered  from  death  e- 
ternal.  God  grant  that  we  may  apply  our 
hearts  to  that  holy  and  heavenly  wisdom,  while 
we  live  here,  which  may  in  the  end  bring  us  to 
life  everlasting,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord, 
Amen. 

NOON. 

i  Tim.  ii.  i.  I  exhort,  that  first  of  all  suppli- 
cations, prayers,  intercessions,  and  giving  of 
thanks,  be  made  for  all  men. 

Acts  xvii.  26.  For  we  are  all  of  one  blood- 
Charity,  that  more  excellent  way,  is  a  tender  af- 
fection for  the  whole  creation  of  GOD. 

O  GOD,  almighty  and  merciful,  let  thy  fa- 
therly kindness  be  upon  all,  whom  thou  hast 
made.  Hear  the  prayers  of  all,  that  call  upon 
Thee  ;  open  the  eyes  of  therti,  that  never  pray 
for  themselves  ;  pity  the  sighs  of  such,  as  are 
in  misery  ;  deal  mercifully  with  them,  that  are 
in  darkness  ;  and  increase  the  graces  of  such,  as 
fear  and  serve  Thee  daily.  Preserve  this  land 
from  the  misfortunes  of  war ;  thy  church  from 


:36  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

# 

all  dangerous  errors;  this  people  from  forget- 
ing  Thee,  their  Lord  and  Benefactor.  Be  gra- 
cious to  those  countries,  that  are  made  desolate 
by  sword,  famine,  pestilence,  or  persecution. 
Bless  all  persons  and  places,  to  which  thy  prov- 
idence has  made  me  a  debtor  ;  all,  who  have 
been  instrumental  to  my  good  by  their  assist- 
ance, advice,  or  example ;  and  make  me  in  my 
turn  useful  to  others.  Let  none  of  those,  that 
desire  my  prayers,  want  thy  mercy ;  but  de- 
fend, and  comfort,  and  conduct  them  through  to 
iheir  lives'  end. 

"  In  every  thing  give  thanks  ;  for  this  is  the 
4C  will  of  GOD  in  Christ  Jesus  concerning 
you." 

Cause  us,  O  God  to  profit  by  all  the  visita- 
tions of  thy  grace  and  mercy, 

"  It  becometh  well  the  just  to  be  thankful." 

O  Lord  and  Father,  I  am  not  worthy  of  the 
least  of  all  thy  mercies,  which  Thou  hast  show- 
ed thy  servant,  nor  can  I  render  due  thanks  and 
praise  for  them  ;  but,  O  Lord,  accept  this  sac- 
rifice of  praise  and  thanksgiving. 

For  all  tire  known,  and  for  all  the  unobserved 
favors,  deliverances,  visitations,  opportunities  of 
doing  good,  chastisements,  and  graces  of  thy 
Holy  Spirit,  vouchsafed  to  me,  I  bless  thy  good 
providence  ;  beseeching  Thee  to  pardon  my 
ingratitude,  that  I  have  passed  so  many  days 
and  years  without  observing,  and  acknowledg- 
ing thy  great  goodness  to  thy  unworthy  servant. 
For,  when  I  soberly  consider  my  dependence 
upon  Thee  for  lile,  welfare,  health  of  body. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  37 

peace  of  mind,  grace,  comfort,  and  salvation,  I 
ought  to  be  very  thankful. 

Glory  be  to  God,  my  Creator  ;  glory  be  to 
Jesus,  my  Redeemer ;  glory  be  to  the  Holy 
Ghost,  my  Sanctifier,  Guide, and  Comforter  ;  all 
love,  all  glory,  be  to  GOD  most  high.  A?nen. 

Let  us  never  ascribe  any  thing  to  ourselves, 
but  all  to  the  grace  of  God  ;  and  render  to 
Him  all  the  glory  of  his  works.  Preserve  me, 
O  God,  from  the  insensibility  of  those,  who  re- 
ceive thy  favors  without  being  affected  by  them, 
and  from  the  ingratitude  of  those,  who  look 
upon  them,  as  a  debt. 

Psa.  xc.  i,  a,  It  is  a  good  thing  to  give 
thanks  unto  the  Lord,  and  to  sing  praises  unto 
thy  name,  O  Most  High ;  to  show  forth  thy 
loving  kindness  in  the  morning,  and  thy  faith- 
fulness every  night. 

Many  and  great  have  been  the  favors  and 
blessings,  uhich  Thou  hast  bestowed  on  this  na- 
tion ;  for  which,  O  Lord,  in  conjunction  with 
those,  who  praise  Thee  for  them,  and  in  the 
stead  of  those,  who  forget  to  praise  Theer  I  bless 
and  praise  thy  holy  name.  Bless  the  Lord,  O 
my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  his  benefits. 

OUR  FATHER,  WHO  ART  IN  HEAVEN. 

Acts  xvii.  28.  In  Thee  we  live,  and  move^ 
and  have  our  being. 

Grant  that  we  may  love  Thee  with  all  our 
heart,  and  mind,  and  soul,  and  strength. 

Blessed  be  God,  who  dealeth  with  us  with 
the  tenderness  of  a  Father.  O  that  we  may 
D 


3'8  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

remember  that  our  Father  and  our  inheritance 
are  in  Heaven. 

I  commit  myself,  and  all  that  belongs  to  me, 
to  thy  fatherly  care  and  love. 

"Verily,  whatever  ye  ask  the  Father  in  my 
name,  he  will  give  it  you  !  This  is  the  great  sup- 
port and  comfort  of  sintiers.  Hear  us  for  thy 
Son's  sake  ;  for  as  sinners,  we  have  no  right  to 
ask  any  favos. 

What  manner  of  love  is  it,  that  we  should  be 
Called  the  sons  of  God. 

HALLOWED  BE   THY  NAME. 

"  Thou  art  worthy,  O  Lord,  to  receive  hon- 
or, and  power,  and  glory,  for  Thou  hast  created 
all  things." 

"  In  this  is  my  Father  glorified,  that  ye  bring 
forth  much  fruit." 

May  thy  children  have  a  great  regard  for  ev- 
ery thing,  that  belongs  to  Thee. 

May  I  never  dishonor  Thee,  O  Heavenly  Fa- 
ther^ by  word  or  deed. 

May  I  glorify  Thee  daily  by  a  good  life. 
Fill  my  heart  with  great  concern  and  zeal  for 
thy  glory. 

"  Let  every  thing,  that  hath  breath,  praise 
the  Lord." 

"  They,  that  honol*  me,  1  will  also  honor." 
.     How  little  have  I  done  to  promote  thy  glory  ! 
God  be  merciful  unto  me. 

THY  KINGDOM   COME. 

May  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  world  obey  thy 
laws,  and  submit  to  thy  providence,  and  become 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  39 

the  kingdoms  of  the  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ ! 

Bless  the  pious  endeavors  of  all  those,  who 
strive  to  propagate  the  gospel  of  thy  kingdom. 

Vouchsafe  to  reign  in  my  heart ;  and  let  not 
Satan  ever  have  dominion  over  me.. 

Fit  us,  O  God,  for  the  coming  of  thy  king- 
dom. May  I  submit,  and  rejoice  to  be  govern- 
ed by  Thee ! 

0  that  thy  Holy  Spirit  may  direct  and  rule 
my  heart ;  subdue  in  me  all  pride,  covetousness, 
hatred,  malice,   envy,   lust,  uncleanness,   and 
whatever  shall  offend  Thee. 

THY  WILJL  BE  DONE  ON  EARTH,  AS  IT  IS 
IN  HEAVEN. 

1  Thess.  iv.  3,    This  is  the  will  of  God,  even 
our  sanctification. 

Thou  hast  sent  us  into  the  world,  not  to  do 
our  own  will  but  thine.  O  subject  my  will  to 
thine. 

May  thy  name  be  honored  by  the  good  lives 
of  Christians. 

O  tha-t  I  may  have  respect  unto  all  thy  com- 
mands. May  thy  will,  revealed  to  us  in  thy  ho- 
ly word,  be  the  rule  of  my  will,  of  my  desires, 
of  my  words,  life,  and  actions. 

GIVE   US   THIS  DAY  OUR   DAILY  BREAD. 

yohn  vi.  27.  Labor  not  for  the  meat,  which 
perisheth  ;  but  for  that  meat,  which  eudureth 
unto  everlasting  live. 

Lord,  give  us  evermore  this  bread.  Give  us 
the  necessaries  of  life  ;  but  above  all  the  bread?, 
that  nourisheth  to  eternal  life. 


40  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

AND    FORGIVE     US  OUR    TRESPASSES,     AS    WE 
FORGIVS  THEM,  WHO  TRESPASS  AGAINST  US, 

Luke  vi.  37.  Forgive,  and  ye  shall  be  for- 
given. 

Grant,  O  Heavenly  Father,  that  I  may  close 
with  this  merciful  condition  of  pardon.  Thou 
hast  been  all  mercy  to  me,  O  God,  grant  that  I 
may  be  so  to  all  others.  May  thy  grace,  O  Fa- 
ther, give  me  a  heart  ever  ready  to  forgive ! 

AND  LEAD  US  NOT  INJO  TEMPTATION. 

1  Cor.  x.    13.      Let  him,  that   thinketh  he 
stande$,  take  heed,  lest  he  fall. 

Let  not  any  confidence  in  ourselves  provoke 
Thee,  O  God,  to  leave  us  to  ourselves. 

2  Pet.  ii.  9.     The  Lord  knoweth  how  to  de- 
liver the  godly  out  of  temptation. 

Thou,  O  Father,  knowest  my  infirmities,  and 
the  power  of  my  enemies ;  be  not  wanting  to 
me  in  the  hour  of  temptation. 

Matth.  xxvi,  41.  Watch  and  pray,  that  ye 
enter  not  into  temptation. 

Make  me  mindful  of  my  weakness,  that  I  may 
be  more  watchful,  and  importunate  for  grace. 

Fortify  my  soul  against  the  temptations  of 
the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil,  for  Jesus 
Christ's  sake. 

BUT  DELIVER  US  FROM   EVIL. 

i  Pet.  v.  8.  Be  sober,  be  vigilant,  because 
your  adversary  the  devil,  as  a  roaring  lion,  walk- 
eth  about,  seeking  whom  he  may  devour. 

Grant,  O  Heavenly  Father,  that  this  adver- 
sary may  never  find  me  off  my  guard,  nor  from 


SACRA  PRIVATA,  41 

under  thy  protection.     In  all  my  saving  trials 
give  me  grace  and  power  to  overcome. 

FOR   THINE   IS  THE   KINGDOM,   AND  THE 

POWER,  AND  THE   GLORY,  FOREVER 

AND  EVER.       AMEN. 

To  Thee,  to  Thee  alone,  and  to  thy  Son,  and 
Holy  Spirit,  be  glory  forever  and  ever.  Amen. 

EVENING. 

Ps a.  cxli.  2.  Let  my  prayer  be  set  forth  in 
thy  sight,  as  incense  ;  and  let  the  lifting  up  of 
my  hands  be,  as  an  evening  sacrifice. 

That  it  hath  pleased  God  to  add  another 
day  to  the  years  of  my  life;  that  none  of  his 
judgments,  to  which  for  my  sins  I  am  liable, 
have  fallen  upon  me  ;  that  by  his  grace  he  hath 
kept  me  from  all  scandalous  sins,  and  from  the 
dangers  of  an  evil  world ;  that  he  has  given  me 
occasions  of  doing  good,  and  grace  to  make  use 
of  them  ;  that  he  hath  supplied  me  and  my  fam- 
ily with  the  necessaries  of  this  life,  and  with 
means  of  attaining  a  better  ;  accept,  O  God, 
my  unfeigned  thanks  for  these,  and  for  all  the 
mercies,  from  day  to  day  bestowed  upon  me. 
Add  this  to  all  thy  favors,  I  beseech  Thee,  that 
I  may  never  forget  to  be  thankful. 

Possess  my  heart  with  so  deep  a  sense  of  my 
obligations  and  dependence  upon  Thee  for  life, 
and  health,  and  grace,  and  salvation,  that  reli- 
gion may  be  my  delight  as  well,  as  my  duty. 

But  that  I  may  serve  Thee  with  a  quiet  mind, 
forgive  me  the  things,  whereof  my  conscience 
D  2 


4*  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

is  afraid,  and  avert  the  judgments,  which  I  have 
justly  deserved.  Remember  not  the  offences  of 
my  youth  ;  and  in  mercy  blot  out  those  of  my 
riper  years.  Pardon  my  sins  of  the  day  past, 
and  of  my  life  past,  and  grant  that  they  may 
never  rise  in  judgment  against  me.  Amen. 

i  yohn  Si.  i.  If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  ad- 
vocate with  the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righ- 
teous, and  he  is  the  propitiation  for  our  sins. 

O  most  powerful  Advocate,  I  put  my  cause 
into  thy  hands,  let  thy  blood  and  merits  plead 
for  me  ;  and  by  thy  mighty  intercession  procure 
for  me  a  full  d'scharge  of  all  my  sins. 

John  v.  14.  Sin  no  more,  lest  a  worse  thing 
come  unto  thee. 

Lord,  the  frailty  of  man  without  Thee  can* 
not  but  fall.  In  all  temptations  therefore  I  be- 
seech Thee  to  succor  me,  that  no  sin  may  ever 
get  dominion  over  me. 

Psa.  xci.  i.  Whoso  dwelleth  under  the  de- 
fence of  the  Most  High,  shall  abide  under  the 
shadow  of  the  Almighty. 

May  the  Almighty  God  take  me,  my  family, 
my  relations,  my  friends,  my  benefactors,  and 
my  enemies,  under  his  gracious  protection  ! 
Give  his  holy  angels  charge  concerning  us  ;  pre- 
serve us  from  the  prince  and  powers  of  dark- 
ness, and  from  the  dangers  of  the  night  ;  and 
keep  us  in  perpetual  peace  and  safety  ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord  !  Amen. 

Hear  me,  O  God,  not  according  to  my  weak 
understanding,  but  according  to  the  full  import 
of  that  Holy  Prayer,  which  Jesus  Christ  has 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  43 

taught  us,  and  which  I  presume  to  offer  ; 
Our  Father,  <who  art  in  Heaven,   &c. 

OUR  FATHER,  WHO  ART   IN  HEAVEN,  HAL- 
LOWED  BE   THY   NAME. 

God  will  be'glorified  in  the  salvation  of  souls^ 

If  the  Almighty  God  were  not  my  Father.  I. 
might  expect  vengeance  instead  of  mercy. 

May  I  show  by  my  life  that  God  is  my  father. 

This  earth  is  not  the  inheritance  of  the  chil- 
dren of  God. 

Blessed  be  God,  who  dealeth  not  with  us 
with  the  authority  of  a  lord  over"  his  servants, 
but  with  the  tenderness  of  a  father  over  his 
children. 

THY   KINGDOM   COME. 

I  own  Thee  for  my  King  ;  do  Thou  make  and 
own  me  for  thy  faithful  subject.  Enlarge  thy^ 
kingdom  for  the  honor  of  thy  great  name.  May 
I  preserve  thy  kingdom  within  me,  the  govern- 
ment of  thy  Spirit.  Bring  me  into  subjection 
to  thyself  by  thy  grace. 

THY  WILL  BE  DONE  ON  EARTH,    AS  IT  IS 
IN  HEAVEN. 

That  thou  mayest  have  a  church  on  earth 
as  obedient  to  thy  will,  as  that  is  in  heaven. 

O  Heavenly  Father,  subdue  in  me  whatever 
is  contrary  to  thy  holy  will.  Grant  that  I  may 
ever  study  to  know  thy  will,  that  I  may  know 
how  to  please  Thee. 

Thy  will,  O  God,  is  the  perfection  of  justice  ; 
let  me  never  prescribe  to  Thee,  what  Thou 
oughtest  to  give  me.  What  Tl)ou  wiliest,  we 


44  SACRA  PR! V ATA. 

may  be  sure,  is  best  for  us ;  we  cannot  be  sure 
of  what  we  will  for  ourselves.  Hearken  not 
ta  the  corrupt  desires  of  my  heart,  but  to  the 
voice  of  thy  own  mercy. 

GIVE  US  THJS  DAY  OUR    fcAILY  BREAD. 

Yes,  my  God,  I  will  have  recourse  to  Thee 
daily  ;  for  on  Thee  I  depend  for  life,  and 
breath,  and  grace,  and  all  things. 

Give  me  a  true  understanding  and  love  for 
Thy  Word,  the  bread  which  nourisheth  to  eter- 
nal life.  For  Thou,  O  Lord,  hast  taught  us, 
not  to  seek  that  bread,  which  perisheth,  but 
that,  which  endureth  to  eternal  life. 

AND  FORGIVE  US  OUR    TRESPASSES,   AS  WE 

FORGIVE  THEM,    WHO   TRESPASS 

AGAINST     US. 

Mav  I  ever  show  mercy  to  men,  that  T  may 
receive  it  from  Thee,  my  God.  Do  I  value  my 
soul  and  think  this  too  hard  a  condition  ?  Thou 
art  all  mercy  to  me  ;  grant  that  I  may  be  all 
merciful  to  my  brethren  for  thy  sake,  O  Father. 

AND  LEAD  US  NOT   INTO  TEMPTATION, 
BUT   DELIVER   US   FROM   EVIL. 

For  thou  knowest  our  infirmities,  and  the 
power  and  malice  of  our  enemies.  Thou  know- 
est how  to  deliver  the  godly  out  of  temptation. 

Grant,  O  God,  that  I  may  never  run  into 
those  temptations,  which  in  my  prayers  I  desire 
to  avoid.  Vouchsafe  me  the  gift  of  persever- 
ance, on  which  my  eternal  happiness  depends. 
Lord,  never  permit  my  trials  to  be  above  my 
strength* 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  45 

O  Holy  Spirit  of  Grace,  be  not  wanting  to 
me  in  the  hour  of  temptation  ;  and  in  all  temp- 
tations give  us  power  to  resist  and  overcome. 
Leave  us  not  in  the  power  of  evil  spirits.  Sap- 
port  us  under  all  our  saving  trials  and  troubles. 

FOR   THINE   IS     THE     KINGDOM,     AND     THE 

POWER,   AND  THE  GLORY,  FOREVER 

AND  EVER.       AMEN. 

Let  thy  fatherly  compassion  grant  what  the 
Son  of  thy  love  has  encouraged  us  to  pray  for. 
By  thy  almighty  power  make  good,  whatever 
is  defective  in  me. 

EXAMINATION. 

EccL  xvii.  20.  Before  judgment  examine 
thyself  ;  and  in  the  day  of  visitation  thou  shalt 
find  mercy. 

Discover  to  me,  O  thou  Searcher  of  hearts, 
whatever  is  amiss  in  me,  whether  in  life  or  prin- 
cipl^e. 

DEATH. 

From  sudden,  unprepared  death,  good  Lord 
deliver  ine,  my  family,  and  all  that  dcvire  my 
prayers.  May  we  never  be  surprised  in  sin; 
and  may  thy  mercy  supply,  whatever  shall  be 
wanting  in  our  preparation  for  death  ! 

With  the  submission  of  a  penitent  sinner  un- 
der the  righteous  sentence  of  death,  passed  upon 
all  mankind,  I  beg  that  I  may  so  live,  that  I 
may  with  joy  resign  my  life  to  Thee,.  O  Father, 


40  .SACRA  PRIVATA. 

trusting  in  thy  mercy  and  goodness,  and  promises 
in  Jesus  Christ,  at  the  hour  of  death,  and  in  the 
day  of  judgment.  Amen. 

Epbes.  iv.  6.  Let  not  the  sun  go  dawn  upon 
your  wrath. 

Lord,  grant  that  I  may  lie  down  to  sleep  with 
the  same  charitable  dispositions,  with  which  I 
desire  and  hope  to  die. 

I  beseech  thee  for  all  my  enemies  ;  not  for 
judgment  and  vengeance,  but  for  mercy,  for  the 
remission  of  their  sins,  and  for  their  eternal  hap- 
piness. 

Psa.  xiii.  3.  Lighten  mine  eyes,  O  Lord, 
that  I  sleep  not  in  death. 

Deliver  me  from  the  terrors  of  the  night,  and 
from  the  pestilence,  that  walketh  in  darkness. 
Let  my  sleep  be  free  from  sin  ;  preserve  me,  O 
.Lord  from  evil  dreams,  and  evil  demons. 

Into  thy  hands  I  commend  myself,  my  spirit, 
soul,  and  body,  O  Lord,  thou  God  of  truth. 
Grant  that  I  may  remember  Thee  upon  my  bed. 

Psa.  iv,  9.  I  will  lay  me  down  in  peace, 
and  take  my  rest ;  for  it  is  Thou,  Lord,  that 
makest  me  dwell  in  safety. 

May  the  Saviour  and  Guardian  of  my  soul 
lake  me  under  his  protection  this  night  and  ev- 
(ermore  L 


-SACRA  PRIVATA.  47 

SUNDAY  MEDITATIONS. 

PRAYERS,    THANKSGIVING,    ETC. 

A  daily  form  of  thanksgiving. 

O  ALMIGHTY  God  and  most  merci- 
ful Father,  who  day  after  day  dost  minister  to 
sinful  man  infinite  occasions  of  praising  Thee, 
accept  my  unfeigned  thanks  for  all  the  blessings 
I  have,  and  every  day  receive,  from  thy  good 
providence. 

That  of  thy  own  mere  goodness,  and  without 
any  merit  of  mine,  or  of  my  forefathers,  Thou 
hast  given  me  being  from  honest  and  religious 
parents,  and  in  a  part  of  the  world,  wbere  the 
Christian  religion  is  purely  taught,  and  thy  sa- 
craments duly  administered* 

That  Thou  didst  endue  me  with  reason  and 
perfect  senses  \  and,  to  make  these  more  com- 
fortable to  me,  didst  give  me  a  sound  and 
healthful  body. 

That  Thou  gavest  me  early  knowledge  of 
Thee,  my  Creator  and  Redeemer.  That  Thou 
hast  preserved  me  ever  since  my  birth,  and  hast 
vouchsafed  me  health  and  liberty,  and  a  compe- 
tency of  means  to  support  me. 

That  Thou  hast  redeemed  me  by  thy  Son, 
and  given  me  a  .share  in  his  merits  ;  sanctified 
me  by  thy  Holy  Spirit,  and  hast  heaped  many 
favors  upon  me. 

That  Thou  hast  given  me  honest  friends,to  ad* 


48  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

monish,  to  consult,  to  encourage,  and  to  support 
me,  by  their  interest  and  advice. 

That  Thou  hast  been  my  refuge  in  tribulation, 
and  my  defence  in  all  adversities  ;  delivering  me 
from  dangers,  infamy,  and  troubles.  For  all 
known  and  unobserved  deliverances,  and  for  the 
guard  thy  holy  Angels  keep  over  me,  I  praise 
thy  good  providence. 

When  I  went  astray,  Thou  didst  reduce  me  ; 
when  I  was  sad,  Thou  didst  comfort  me  ;  when 
I  offended  Thee,  Thou  didst  forbear  and  gent- 
ly correct  me,  and  didst  long  expect  my  repent- 
ance, and  when,  for  the  grievousness  of  my  sins, 
I  was  ready  to  despair,  Thou  didst  keep  me  from 
utter  ruin  ;  Thou  hast  delivered  me  from  the 
snares  and  assaults  of  the  devil ;  Thou  hast  not 
only  preserved  my  soul,  but  my  body,  from  de- 
struction, when  sicknesses  and  infirmities  took 
hold  of  me. 

O  Lord  and  Father,  I  cannot  render  due 
thanks  and  praise  for  all  these  mercies,  bestow- 
ed upon  roe.  Such,  as  I  have,  I  give  Thee  ; 
and  humbly  beseech  Thee  to  accept  this  my 
daily  sacrifice  of  thanksgiving. 

Pardon,  O  God,  all  my  former  ingratitude ; 
and  that  I  have  passed  so  many  days  without  ob- 
serving, without  admiring,  without  acknowledg- 
ing and  confessing,  thy  wonderful  goodness  to 
the  most  unworthy  of  thy  servants. 

For  (now  I  soberly  consider  my  dependence 
upon  Thee)  <is  there  is  no  hour  of  my  life,  that 
I  do  not  enjoy  thy  favors,  and  taste  thy  good- 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  49 

ness  ;  so  (if  my  frailty  would  permit)  I  would 
spend  no  part  of  my  life  without  remembering 
Thee. 

Praise  the  Lord  then,  O  my  soul,  and  all, 
that  is  within  me,  praise  his  Holy  Name. 

Glory  be  to  Thee,  O  Lord  my  Creator. 
Glory  be  to  Thee,  O  Jesus,  my  Redeemer- 
Glory  be  to  the  Holy  Ghost,  my  Sanctifier,  my 
Guide,  and  Comforter. 

All  love,  all  glory  be  to  the  high  and  undi- 
vided Trinity,  whose  works  are  inseparable, 
whose  dominion  endureth  world  without  end. 
Amen. 

When  I  seriously  consider,  great  God,  my  de- 
pendence upon  thy  Providence,  and  that  the  fa*, 
vors  and  mercies,  I  have  received,  are  infinitely 
more  in  number,  than  the  acknowledgments  I 
have  made,  I  am  justly  ashamed  of  my  ingrati- 
tude, and  afraid,  lest  my  unthankfulness  pro-* 
vokeThee  to  hinder  the  current  of  thy  blessings 
from  descending  upon  me. 

Forgive,  O  merciful  Father,  my  past  negli- 
gence, and  give  me  grace  for  time  to  come  to  ob- 
serve and  to  value  thy  kindnesses,  as  becomes 
one,  who  has  received  so  much  more,  than  he 
deserves. 

Preserve  in  my  soul,  O  God  so  constant  and 
clear  a  sense  of  my  obligations  to  Thee,  that  up- 
on receipt  of  every  favor  I  may  immediately 
turn  my  eyes  to  him,  from  whom  comet h  my  sal- 
vation. That  thy  manifold  blessings  may  fix- 
such  impressions  upon  my  soul,  that  I  may  al- 
ways praise  Thee  faithfully  here  on  earth,  until 
F, 


50  SACRA  PRIVATA, 

it  shall  please  Thee,  of  thy  unbounded  mercy,  to 

call  me  nearer  the  place  of  thy  heavenly  hal  ita- 

tion,  to  praise  my  Lord  and  deliver  to  all  eternity. 

PROVIDENCE. 

God  has  more  ways  of  providing  for  us,  than 
we  can  possibly  imagine  ;  it  is  infidelity  to  de- 
sire to  confine  him  to  our  ways  and  methods. 

Mattb.  viiit     Lord,  save  us,  \ve  perish. 

Nothing  can  better  express  our  own  inability 
and  our  whole  dependence  upon  God.  Two 
sure  conditions  of  obtaining  help. 

Since  thy  mercy,  O  God^  is  ever  ready  to 
help  all,  that  call  upon  Thee  in  timepf  distress, 
let  thy  goodness  answer  my  wants.  Keep  me 
under  the  protection  of  thy  good  providence, 
and  make  me  to  have  perpetual  fear  and  love 
of  thy  Holy  Name,  through  Jesus  Christ. 

The  more  destitute  we  are  of  human  aid,  the 
more  ought  we  to  trust  to  that  providence, 
which  God  is  pleased  to  exert  in  extreme  ne- 
cessity. O  God  give  me  grace  never  to  con- 
demn thy  providence  ;  let  me  adore  the  wisdom 
of  thy  conduct,  the  holiness  of  thy  ways,  and 
the  power  of  thy  grace. 

How  many  sins  should  we  commit,  if  God 
did  not  vouchsafe  to  oppose  our  corrupt  will  ! 
Blessed  be  his  holy  name  for  not  leaving  me  to 
my  own  choice. 

Psd.  xc.  12.  So  teach  us  to  number  our 
days,  that  we  may  apply  our  hearts  unto  wis- 
dom. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  51 

BIRTH  DAY, 

Blessed  be  God  for  my  creation  and  birth  ; 
for  giving  me  being  from  lionest  parents^  fear- 
ing God,  and  in  a  Christian  and  Protestant 
country  ;  for  giving  me  perfect  members  and 
senses,  sound  reason,  and  a  healthy  consti- 
tution ;  for  the  means  of  grace,  the  assistances 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  for  the  hope  of  Glory  ; 
for  all  the  known  or  unobserved  favors,  prov- 
idences, and  deliverances,  by  which  my  life  has 
hitherto  been  preserved  ;  most  humbly  beseech- 
ing Thee,  my  God  and  Father,  to  pardon  my 
neglect  or  abuse  of  any  of  thy  -favors,  and  that 
I  have  so  forgotten  Thee,  in  whom  I  live,  and 
move,  and  have  my  being. 

Good  Lord,  forgive  me  the  great  waste  of  my 
precious  time  ;  the  many  days  and  years  of 
health,  and  the  many  opportunities  of  doing 
good,  which  I  have  lost  ;  and  give  me  grace, 
that  for  time  to  come  I  may  be  truly  wise,  that  I 
may  consider  my  latter  end,  and  work  out  my 
salvation  with  fear  and  trembling,  ever  remem- 
bering that  the  night  cometh  when  no  man  can 
-work  ;  and  that  the  day  of  my  death  may  be 
better  to  me,  than  the  day  of  my  birth. 

O  gracious  God,  grant  that,  before  Thou 
takest  from  me  that  breath,  which  Thou  gavest 
me,  I  may  truly  repent  of  the  errors  of  my  life 
past  ;  that  my  sins  may  be  forgiven,  and  rny 
pardon  sealed  in  Heaven ;  so  that  I  may  have 
a  place  of  rest  in  Paradise  with  thy  faithful  ser- 
vants, till  the  general  resurrection  ;  when  the 
good  Lord  vouchsafe  me  a  better  and  an  evei> 
lasting  life,  through  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


$2  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

NEW  YEAR'S  DAY. 

Blessed  be  Godr\vho  has  brought  me  to  the 
beginning  of  another  year.  Blessed  be  God, 
that  I  am  of  the  number  of  those,  who  have 
time  and  space  for  repentance  yet  given  them. 

My  God,  make  me  truly  sensible  of  this  mer- 
cy, and  give  me  grace  to  consider  often,  how 
short  and  uncertain  my  time  is ;  that  there  is 
one  year  more  of  a  short  life  passed  over  my 
head  ;  and  that  !  am  so  much  nearer  eternity  ; 
that  T  may  in  good  earnest  think  of  another 
life  and  be  so  prepared  for  it,  that  death  may 
not  overtake  me  unawares. 

Lord,  pardon  all  my  mispent  time,  and  make 
me  more  diligent  and  careful  to  redeem  it  for  time 
to  come ;  that  when  I  come  to  the  end  of  my 
days,  I  may  look  back  with  comfort  on  the  days, 
that  are  past. 

Grant  that  I  may  begin  this  new  year  with 
new  resolutions  of  serving  Thee  more  faithful- 
ly ;  and,  if,  through  infirmity  or  negligence  I 
forget  these  good  purposes,  the  good  Lord  a- 
waken  in  me  a  sense  of  my  danger  ! 

My  heart  is  in  thy  hands,  O  God,  as  well, 
as  my  time ;  O  make  me  wi5e  unto  salvation  ; 
that  I  may  consider  in  this  my  day  the  things, 
that  belong  to  my  peace  ;  and  that  I  may  pass 
this,  and  all  the  years,  I  have  yet  to  live,  in 
comfortable  hope  of  a  blessed  eternity,  for  the 
Lord  Jesus'  sake.  Amen. 


SA  CRA  PRIVATA.  53 

Lord's  Day. 

Amos  viii.  4.  "When  will  the  Sabbath  be  gone, 
that  \\e  may  sell  wheat  ? 

Deliver  us,  gracious  God,  from  the  sin  of 
covetousness  ;  from  being  weary  of  thy  sab- 
baths, which  are  ordained  to  preserve  in  our 
hearts  the  knowledge  of  Thee,  and  of  thy  Son 
Jesus  Christ. 

O  that  we  may  desire,  and  rejoice  in  the  re- 
turn of  this  day,  and  serve  Thee  faithfully  on 
it  ;  and  that  we  may  enjoy  an  everlasting  sab- 
bath with  thy  saints,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake  ! 
Amen. 

0  that  I  may  be  glad,  when  they  say  unto 
me,  come,  let  us  go  to  the  house  of  God  ! 

Prayer  for  all  mankind. 

1  Tim.  ii.  i.    I  exhort  that  first  of  all  suppli- 
cations,   prayers,   intercessions,  and  giving  of 
thanks  be  made  for  all  men. 

O  God,  almighty  and  merciful,  let  thy  fa- 
therly kindness  be  upon  all,  that  Thou  hast 
made. 

IHLve  mercy  upon  all  Jews,  Turks,  Infidels., 
and  Heretics  ;  and  grant  that  none  may  deprive 
themselves  of  that  happiness,  which  Jesus  Christ 
has  purchased  by  his  death. 

Blt^s  the  pious  endeavours  of  all  those,  that 
strive  to  propagate  the  gospel  of  Christ  ;  and 
may  its  saving  truths  be  received  in  all  the 
world. 

Preserve  thy  church  in  the  midst  of  the  dan- 
gers, that  surround  it  ;  purge  it  from  all  cor- 
£2 


54  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

ruptions,  and  heal  its  divisions,  that  all  Chris- 
tian people  may  unite  and  Love,  as  becomes  the 
disciples  of  Christ.  • 

Grant  that  all  pastors  may  be  careful  to  ob- 
serve the  sacred  rights,  committed  to  their  trust ; 
that  Godly  discipline  may  be  restored  and  coun- 
tenanced ; 

That  Christians  may  not  content  themselves 
with  shadows  of  religion  and  piety,  but  endeav- 
or after  that  holiness,  without  which  no  man 
can  see  the  Lord  ;  that  such,  as  are  in  authority, 
may  govern  with  truth  and  justice  ;  and  that 
those,  whose  duty  it  is  to  obey,  may  do  it  for 
conscience  sake. 

Let  all,  thai  sincerely  seek  the  truth,  be  led 
into  it  by  thy  Holy  Spirit ;  and  to  all  such,  as 
are  destitute  of  necessary  instruction,  vouchsafe 
a  greater  measure  of  thy  grace. 

Support  and  comfort  all,  that  labour  under 
trials  and  afflictions  ;  all,  that  suffer  wrongful- 
ly ;  and  by  thy  mighty  grace  succour  all  those, 
that  are  tempted. 

Give  unto  all  sinners  a  true  sense  of  their 
unhappy  state,  and  grace  and  strength  to  break 
their  bonds. 

Visit  with  thy  fatherly  comforts  all  such,  as 
are  now  in  their  last  sickness,  that  they  may 
omit  nothing,  that  is  necessary  to  make  their 
peace  with  Thee. 

Be  gracious  to  all  countries,  made  desolate 
by  sword,  famine,  pestilence,  or  persecution. 
Sanctify  the  miseries  of  this  life  to  the  everlast- 
ing benefit  of  all,  that  suffer. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  55 

Preserve  this  land  from  the  miseries  of  war  ; 
this  Church  from  persecution,  and  from  all  wild 
and  dangerous  errors  ;  and  this  people  from 
forgetting  Thee,  their  Lord  and  Benefactor. 

Avert  the  judgments,  which  we  have  justly 
deserved  ;  and  mercifully  prevent  the  ruin,  that 
threatens  us,  and  grant  that  we  may  ever  be 
prepared  for  what  thy  Providence  shall  bring 
forth. 

Bless  all  persons  and  places,  to  which  thy 
providence  has  made  me  a  debtor  ;  all,  who 
have  been  instrumental  ro  my  good  by  their  as- 
sistance, advijce,  or  example  ;  and  mak**  me  in 
my  turn  useful  to  others. 

Let  none  of  those,  who  cannot  pray  for 
themselves,  and  desire  my  prayers,  want  thy 
mercy  ;  but  defend  and  comfort,  and  conduct 
them  through  this  dangerous  world,  that  we 
may  meet  in  paradise,  to  praise  our  God  forev- 
er and  ever.  Amen. 

Enlighten  the  minds,  and  pardon  the  sin  of 
all,  that  err  through  simplicity.  Let  the  wick- 
edness of  the  wicked  come  to  an  end,  but  guide 
thou  the  just. 

Relieve  and  comfort  all,  that  are  troubled 
in  mind  ;  all,  that  are  in  danger  of  falling  into 
despair  ;  all,  that  are  in  any  dangerous  error  ; 
all,  that  are  in  prison,  in  slavery,  or  under  per- 
secution for  a  righteous  cause  ;  all,  that  are  in 
any  distress  whatever;  that  all  may  improve 
under  their  sufferings. 

Have  mercy  upon  and  reclaim  all,  that  are 
engaged  in  sinful  courses,  in  youthful  lusts,  in 


56  SACRA  PRIVATA 

unchristian  quarrels,  and  in  unrighteous  law- 
suits. 

Direct  all,  that  are  in  doubt ;  all,  that  seek 
the  truth. 

O  God  the  Creator  and  Redeemer  of  all, 
have  mercy  upon  all,  whom  Thou  hast  made 
and  redeemed.  Amen. 

MONDAY  MEDITATIONS. 

RESIGNATION. 

Luke  xxii.  42.  Nevertheless,  not  my  will,  but 
thine  be  done. 

OGod,  who  takest  delight  in  helping  the 
afflicted,  help  <i  soul,  often  distressed  by 
inv;ard  rebellion  against  thy  just  appointments. 

Who  am  I,  that  I  make  exceptions  against 
the  will  of  God,  infinitely  great,  wise,  and  good? 
I  know  not  the  things,  that  are  for  my  good. 
My  most  earnest  desires,  if  granted  may  prove 
my  ruin.  The  things,  I  complain  of  and  fear, 
may  be  the  effects  of  the  greatest  mercy.  The 
disappointments,  I  meet,  may  be  absolutely  ne- 
cessary for  my  eternal  welfare.  I  do  therefore 
protest  agai  sr  the  sin  and  madness  of  desiring 
to  have  my  w'tl  do;ie,  and  aot  the  will  of  God. 

Grant,  gracious  Father,  that  I  may  never 
dispute  the  reasonableness  of  thy  will,  but  ever 
close  with  it,  as  the  best  that  can  happen.  Pre- 
pare me  always  for  what  thy  providence  shall 
bring  forth. 

Let  me  never  murmur,  be  dejected,  nor  inifa» 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  57 

tient,  under  any  cf  the  troubles  of  this  life  ; 
but  ever  find  rest  and  comfort  in  this,  this  is  the 
will  of  my  Father ±  and  of  my  God;  grant  this 
for  Jesus  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 

To  the  glory  of  God  and  of  his  infinite  good- 
ness I  do  here  acknowledge  that  in  all  the  dis- 
pensations of  providence,  which  have  befallen 
me,  to  this  day^  however  uneasy  to  flesh  and 
blood,  I  have  notwithstanding  experienced  the 
kindness  of  a  father  for  his  child  ;  and  am  con- 
vinced, that  it  would  have  been  much  worse 
for  me,  had  I  had  my  own  choice. 

O  God,  grant  that  for  time  to  come  I  may 
yield  a  cheerful  obedience  to  all  thy  appoint- 
ments. Amen. 

Corrupt  nature  cannot  comprehend  that  af- 
flictions are  the  effects  of  divine  love.  It  must 
be  thy  grace  O  Lover  of  Souls,  which  must 
work  in  me  this  conviction,  which  I  beseech 
Thee  to  vouchsafe  me. 

Never  set  a  greater  value  upon  this  world, 
than  it  deserves. 

If  a  man  be  not  eager  or  positive  in  his  de- 
sires, he  will  more  readily  embrace  the  appoint- 
ments of  providence. 

If  we  place  our  dependence  upon  the  power ^ 
ivisdom,  counsellor  interest^  we  have  in  man,  and 
not  in  God  only  ;  we  shall  surely  be  disappoint- 
ed. 

Job  xiii.  15.  Though  he  slay  me,  yet  will  I 
trust  in  him. 

O  my  crucified 'King  arid  Saviour,  let  my  sub- 
mission to  whatever  afflictions  shall  befal  me  for 
thy  sake,  or  by  thy  appointment,  be  to  IDC  a 


58  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

pledge  and  assurance  of  my  fidelity  to  Thee  and 
conformity  to  thy  sufferings. 

It  is  a  favor  to  be  punished  and  to  suffer  in 
this  life,  when  a  man  makes  good  use  of  his 
sufferings.  But  to  suffer  by  constraint  is  to  suf- 
fer without  comfort  and  without  benefit. 

Our  union  and  conformity  to  the  will  of  God, 
ought  to  be  instead  of  all  consolation.  Grant, 
O  God,  that  I  may  always  accept  the  punish- 
ment of  my  sins  with  resignation  to  thy  good 
pleasure. 

Remember  me,  O  Lord,  in  the  day  of  trou- 
ble ;  keep  me  from  all  excess  of  fear,  concern, 
and  sadness. 

Grant  me  a  humble  and  resigned  heart,  that 
with  perfect  content  I  may  ever  acquiesce  in  all 
the  methods  of  thy  grace,  that  I  may  never 
frustrate  the  designs  of  thy  mercy  by  unreason- 
able fears,  by  sloth,  or  self  love.  Amen. 

Think  often  of  God  and  of  his  attributes, 
his  mercy,  compassion,  fidelity,  fatherly  care, 
goodness,  and  protection.  Dwell  on  these 
thoughts,  till  they  produce  such  a  well  ground- 
ed confidence  as  will  support  us  under  all  dif- 
ficulties, and  assure  us  He  cannot  possibly  for- 
sake those,  that  depend  on  Him. 

When  God  deprives  us  of  any  thing,  that 
is  most  dear  to  us,  health,  ease,  conveniences  of 
life,  friends,  wife,  children,  &c.  we  should  im- 
mediately eay,  this  is  God's  will ;  I  am  by  Him 
commanded  to  part  with  so  much  ;  let  me  not 
therefore  murmur,  nor  be  dejected,  for  then  it 
would  appear  that  I  did  love  that  thing  more, 
God's  will. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  59 

When  God  thus  visits  us,  let  us  immediate- 
ly look  inward  ;  and,  lest  our  sins  be  the  oc- 
casion let  us  take  care  that  we  seriously  repent, 
and  endeavor  to  make  our  peace  with  God. 
Then  He  will  either  deliver  or  support  us,  and 
will  convince  us,  that  we  sulTer  injustice  for  our 
faults  ;  or  for  our  trial,  and  to  humble  us  ;  or 
for  God's  glory,  and  to  sanctify  us. 

i  Pet.  v.  5.  Be  clothed  with  humility ;  for 
God  resisteth  the  proud,  but  giveth  grace  to 
the  humble. 

Giv^e  me  grace,  O  God,  to  study  to  love,  to 
adore,  and  to  imitate  that  humility,  which  thy 
blessed  Son  hath  taught  us  by  his  word  and  by 
his  rnoft  holy  example, 

Business. 

Ephes.  v.  17.  Understanding  what  the  will 
of  the  Lord  is. 

To  engage  in  any  business  of  importance 
without  knowing  this,  and  taking  counsel  of 
God,  may  cost  us  dear. 

Isaiah  xxx.  i.  Wo  to  them,  that  take  coun- 
sel, but  not  of  me,  saith  the  Lord. 

But  then,  let  a  man  take  heed,  that,  when 
he  goes  to  inquire  of  the  Lord,  he  do  not  set 
up  idols  in  his  own  heart  ;  lest  God  answer 
him  according  to  his  idols. 

We  are  to  pray  for  the  direction  of  Goi's 
Spirit  upon  all  great  occasions  ;  especially  we 
are  humbly  to  depend  on  his  direction,  and 
cheerfully  to  expect  it,  which  he  will  m  inifest, 
either  by  some  plain  event  of  his  providence, 
or  by  suggesting  such  reasons,  as  ought  to  de- 


60  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

termine  the  will  to  a  wise  choice.  But  to  fol- 
low the  inclination  of  the  will  without  reason, 
only  because  we  find  ourselves  strongly  inclin- 
ed to  this  or  that,  is  a  very  dangerous  way,  and 
may  engage  us  in  very  dangerous  practices. 

Master.      Servant. 

Death  in  a  very  little  time,  may  make  the 
master  and  the  servant  equal.  Let  us  anticipate 
this  equality  by  treating  our  servants  with  com- 
passion ;  having  respect  to  Christ,  in  the  per- 
son of  a  servant  ;  to  Christ  who  took  upon 
him  the  form  of  a  servant  for  our  sakes. 


TUESDAY  MEDITATIONS. 

Trouble,  Persecution,  Afflictions,  &c. 

Psa.  1.  15.      Gail  upon  me  in  the  timt  of  trouble* 

so  will  I  hear  tbee,  and  thou  shalt  praise  me. 

OGOD,  who  seest  all  our  weaknesses,  and 
the  troubles  we  labor  under,  have  regard 
to  the  prayers  of  thy  servant,  who   stands  in 
need  of  thy  coinfon,  direction,  and  help. 

Grant  that  I  may  suffer,  like  a  Christian,  and 
not  grieve,  like  an  unbeliever  ;  that  1  may  re- 
ceive troubles,  as  punishment,  due  to  my  past 
offences  ;  as  an  exercise  of  my  faith,  patience, 
and  humility  ;  and  as  a  trial  of  my  obedience  ; 
and  that  I  may  improve  all  my  afflictions  to  the 
good  of  my  soul,  and  to  thy  glory. 

Thou  alone  knowest,  what  is  best  for  us  ; 
let  me  never  dispute  thy  wisdom,  nor  thy  good- 
ness. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  61 

Direct  my  reason,  subdue  my  passions,  put  a 
stop  to  my  roving  thoughts  and  fears,  and  let 
me  have  the  comfort  of  thy  promise,  and  of  thy 
protection,  both  now  and  ever,  for  Jesus  Christ's 
sake.  Amen. 

Heb.  xii.  7,  8.  If  ye  endure  chastening, 
God  dealeth  with  you,  as  with  sons  ;  for  what 
son  is  he,  whom  the  father  cha.steneth  not  ? 
But,  if  ye  be  without  chastisement,  whereof  all 
are  partakers  ;  then  are,? ye  bastards,  and  not 
sons. 

Micah  vii.  9.  I  will  hear  the  indignation  of 
the  Lord,  because  I  have  sinned  againsc  him. 

If  I  am  despised  or  slighted,  I  ought  to  con- 
sider it,  as  a  favor,  since  this  is  a  mark  of 
God's  children  ;  therefore  I  ought  to  thank 
him  for  it,  and  not  be  angry  with  those,  whom 
he  makes  his  instruments  to  subdue  and  mortify 
my  pride. 

i  Pet.  iv.  13.  Rejoice  in  as  much  as  ye  are 
made  partakers  of  the  sufferings  of  Christ  \ 
that,  when  his  glory  shall  be  revealed,  ye  may 
be  glad  also  with  exceeding  joy  ;  because  your 
reward  will  be  proportionable  to  your  sufferings. 

Mattk.  v.  n,  12.  Blessed  are  ye,  when 
men  shall  revile  you,  and  persecute  you,  and 
shall  say  all  manner  of  evil  against  you  falsely 
for  my  sake.  Rejoice,  and  be  exceeding  glad  j 
for  great  is  your  reward  in  Heaven  ;  for  so 
persecuted  they  the  prophets, 'which  were  be- 
fore you. 

F 


62  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

The  mystery  of  the  cross  is  to  be  learned 
under  the  cross. 

Matth.  x.  28,  29.  Fear  not  them,  which 
kill  the  body,  but  are  not  able  to  kill  the  soul  ; 
but  rather  fear  him,  who  is  able  to  destroy  both 
body  and  soul  in  hell.  Are  not  two  sparrows 
sold  for  a  farthing  ?  And  one  of  them  shall  not 
fall  to  the  ground  without  your  Father.  The 
very  hairs  of  your  bead  are  all  numbered. 

i  Pet.  v.  0,  7.  Humble  yourselves  under  the 
mighty  hand  of  God,  [under  great  afflictions, 
\vhich  he  suffers  to  befal  you]  that  he  may  ex- 
alt you  in  due  time  ;  casting  all  your  care  upon 
him,  for  he  careth  for  you. 

Matth.  vi.  10.     Thy  will  be  done.     « 

It  is  just,  great  God,  it  should  be  so  ;  for 
who  should  govern  the  world,  but  he,  who 
made  it  ?  Yet  we  poor  creatures  repine,  when 
any  thing  crosses  our  hopes  or  designs.  What 
strange  unthoughtfulness  !  What  presumption 
is  this  !  It  is  thy  great  mercy,  that  any  of  us 
are  sensible  of  this  folly,  and  become  willing  to 
be.governed  by  Thee. 

With  all  my  heart  and  soul,  O  God,  I  thank 
Thee,  that  in  all  the  changes  of  this  mortal  life 
I  can  look  up  to  Thee,  and  cheerfully  resign  my 
will  to  thine. 

It  is  the  desire  of  my  soul,  and  my  humble 
petition,  that  I  may  always  be  ready  and  wil- 
ling to  submit  t'o  thy  providence,  that  Thou 
mayest  order  what  Thou  judges t  to  be  most 
convenient  for  me. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  63 

I  have  trusted  Thee,  O  Father,  with  myself; 
my  soul  is  in  thy  hand,  which  I  verily  believe 
Thou  wilt  preserve  to  eternal  happiness  ;  my 
body,  and  all,  that  belongs  to  it,  are  of  much 
less  value.  I  do  therefore  with  great  security 
and  satisfaction  trust  all,  I  have,  in  Thee,  hop- 
ing Thou  wilt  preserve  me  from  all  things  hurt- 
ful, and  lead  me  to  all  things  profitable,  to  my 
salvation. 

I  will  love  Thee,  O  God  ;  being  satisfied, 
that  all  things,  however  strange  and  irksome 
they  appear,will  work  together  for  good  to  those, 
that  do  so. 

I  know,  in  whom  I  have  believed  ;  I  have  a 
Saviour  at  thy  right  hand,  full  of  kindness,  full 
of  care,  full  of  power  ;  he  has  prayed  for  me, 
that  this  faith  fail  me  not  ;  and  by  this  faith  I 
am  persuaded,  that  neither  tribulation,  nor  an- 
guish, nor  persecution,  nor  famine,  nor  naked- 
ness, nor  peril,  nor  sword,  nor  death,  which  I 
fear,  nor  life,  which  I  may  hope  for,  nor  things 
present,  which  I  feel,  nor  things  to  come,  which 
I  may  apprehend,  will  ever  prevail  so  far  over 
me,  as  to  make  me  not  resign  my  will  entirely 
to  Thee* 

In  humble,  quiet,  and  dutiful  submission,  let 
me,  faithfully  run  the  race,  set  before  me,  look- 
ing unto  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of  our 
faith,  who  for  the  joy,  that  was  set  jjefore  him, 
despised  the  shame,  endured  the  ctoss,  and  is 
now  seated  at  the  right  hand  of  God  ;  to 
whom  I  most  humbly  beseech  Thee  to  bring 


64  SACRA  PRIVATA 

me  in  thy  good  time  ;  and  for  whatever  shall 
fall  out  in  the  mean  while.  Thy  will  be  done* 
Amen. 

Look  unto  yes  us. 

He  was  despised  and  rejected  of  men  ;  his 
life  was  sought  by  Herod  ;  He  was  tempted  by 
Satan  ;  hated  by  that  world,  which  he  came  to 
save  ;  set  at  nought  by  his  own  people  ;  called 
a  deceiver  and  a  dealer  with  the  devil  ;  was 
driven  from  place  to  place,  and  had  not  where 
to  lay  his  head  ;  betrayed  by  one  Disciple, 
and  forsaken  by  all  the  rest  ;  falsely  accused, 
.spit  upon,  and  scourged  ;  set  at  nought  by  He- 
rod and  his  men  of  war  ;  given  up  by  Pilate  to 
the  will  of  his  enemies  ;  had  a  murderer  prefer- 
red before  him  ;  was  condemned  to  a  most  cru- 
el and  shameful  death  ;  crucified  between  two 
thieves  ;  reviled  in  the  midst  of  his  torments  ; 
hud  gall  and  vinegar  given  him  to  drink  ;  suf- 
fered a  most  bitter  death,  submitting  with  pa- 
tience to  the  will  of  his  Father. 

O  Jesus,  who  now  sitteth  at  the  right  hand 
of  God,  to  succor  all,  who  suffer  in  a  right- 
eous way  ;  be  Thou  my  Advocate  for  grace, 
that  in  all  my  sufferings  I  may  follow  thy  ex- 
ample, and  run  with  patience  the  race,  that  is 
set  before  me.  Amen.  , 

Take  all  things,  that  befal  you,  as  coming 
from  God's  providence  for  your  particular  pro- 
fit. Though  they  are  evil  in  themselves  ;  yet, 
as  he  permits^  or  does  not  think  fit  to  binder 
them,  they  may  be  referred  to  Him. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  65 

God  no  sooner  discovers  in  your  heart  an  ar- 
dent desire  of  well  doing,  and  of  submitting  to 
his  will,  than  he  prepares  for  you  occasions  of 
trying  your  virtue  ;  therefore,  confident  of  his 
love,  receive  cheerfully  a  medicine,  prepared  by 
a  physician,  that  cannot  mistake,  and  cannot 
give  you  any  thing,  but  what  will  be  for  your 
good.  See  Eccles.  chap.  ii. 

Lord,  prepare  my  heart,  that  no  afflictions 
may  ever  so  surprise,  as  to  overbear  me.  Dis- 
pose me  at  all  times  to  a  readiness  to  suffer, 
what  thy  providence  shall  order  or  permit.  It 
is  the  same  cup,  of  which  Jesus  Christ  drank  ; 
and  he  sends  it.  He  sees  it  absolutely  necessary, 
that  I  be  first  partaker  of  his  sufferings,  and 
then  of  his  glory. 

Matth.  x.  22.  And  ye  shall  be  hated  of  all 
men  for  my  name's  sake  ;  but  he,  that  shall 
endure  to  the  end,  shall  be  saved. 

It  is  indeed  grievous  to  nature  to  be  thus 
treated  ;  but,  when  it  is  for  thy  name  sake,  O 
Jesus,  and  for  the  sake  of  thy  truth,  and  for 
being  true  to  Thee  ;  how  lovely  is  this  hatred  ; 
and  how  advantageous,  when  salvation  is  the 
reward ! 

Matth.  x,  24.  The  disciple  is  not  above  his 
master,  nor  the  servant  above  his  Lord. 

He,  who  kpeps  this  saying  in  his  heart,  will 
never  complain  of  what  he  suffers,  nor  seek  any 
other  way  to  save  himself,  than  by  humiliation 
and  the  cross. 

Fa 


66  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

Suffering. 

O  Lord,  grant  that,  whenever  I  suffer,  it 
may  be  for  being  faithful  to  Thee,  and  without 
drawing  it  unseasonably  upon  myself. 

We  are  in  God's  hands  ;  we  often  take  our- 
selves out  of  his  hands,  by  trusting  to  the  help 
and  protection  of  men  more,  than  to  that  of 
God. 

God  will  render  none  miserable,  but  those, 
whom  he  finds  sinners.  Let  us  apply  this  to 
ourselves  when  in  affliction,  but  not  unto  oth- 
ers, nor  to  their  personal  faults. 

Rev.  iii.  19.  As  many,  as  I  love,  I  rebuke 
and  chasten  ;  be  zealous  therefore,  and  repent. 

Blessed  be  God,  who  vouchsafes  by  salutary 
chastisements  to  awaken  us,  when  we  fall  asleep 
through  sloth  and  lukewarmness. 

Grant,  O  God,  that  I  may  never  murmur 
at  thy  appointments,  nor  be  exasperated  at  the 
ministers  of  thy  providence. 

In  Thee,  O  Jesus,  we  find  matter  of  consola- 
tion in  every  affliction,  that  can  possibly  befal  us. 

All  visitations  are  from  God.  He  is  not  de- 
lighted with  the  miseries  of  his  creatures ;  afflic- 
tions are  therefore  designed  for  your  good.  He 
will  either  show  us  the  reason  of  this  visitation 
or  make  us  reap  the  fruits  of  it. 

Persons,  that  may  be  well  disposed,  may  yet 
Jive  under  the  power  of  some  evil  custom, 
which  is  displeasing  to  God  ;  a  man  may  have 
been  guilty  of  some  greaf  sin,  which  he  has  yet 
never  truly  repented  of,  or  been  truly  humbled 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  67 

for.  This  was  the  case  of  the  sons  of  Jacob  ; 
they  had  attempted  the  life  of  their  brother, 
and  afterwards  sold  him,  and  endangered  the  life 
of  their  aged  father  ;  under  which  guilt  they 
passed  their  lives  well  enough  many  years,  till 
God  visited  them  ;  and  then  they  thought  of 
their  sin,  confessed,  and  repented. 

God  by  afflictions  often  fits  us  for  greater 
degrees  of  grace,  which  he  is  going  to  bestow. 
Though  I  suffer,  yet  I  am  well,  because  I  am 
what  God  would  have  me  to  be. 

Lord,  do  not  permit  my  trials  to  be  above 
my  strength  ;  and  do  Thou  vouchsafe  to  be  my 
strength  and  comfort  in  time  of  trial. 

Give  me  grace  to  take  in  good  part,  whatev- 
er shall  befal  me  ;  and  let  my  heart  acknowl- 
edge it  to  be  the  Lord's  doing,  and  to  come 
from  thy  providence,  and  not  by  chance. 

God  makes  use  of  afflictions  sometimes  'by 
way  of  prevention  ;  lest  I  should  be  exa/ted,  said 
St.  Paul ;  to  reform  them  ;  before  I  was  afflicted^ 
- 1  went  astray  ;  to  perfect  them  ;  patience., 
courage,  and  submission  to  the  will  of  God  are 
graces  not  so  much  as  understood  by  persons, 
who  meet  no  adversities  ;  we  must  through  much 
tribulation  enter  into,  the  kingdom  of  God  ;  to 
prove  men-,  and  show  them  for  examples  ;  if  a 
man  had  no  enemies,  how  could  he  show  his 
charity  in  forgiving  them  ? 

yohn  xi.  5.  Afflictions  are  no  marks  of  God's 
displeasure.  Jesus  loved  Mary  and  Lazarus  ; 
yet  they  were  both  afflicted. 


68  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

Punishment  is  due  to  sin.  We  must  be  pun- 
ished here  or  hereafter  ;  it  is  the  cause  of  all 
afflictions,  and  designed  by  our  gracious  God 
to  bring  us  to  repentance. 

Prosperity  is  a  most  dangerous  state  ;  \ve  fan- 
cy it  is  owing  to  our  merit,  and -it  is  followed 
with  pride,  neglect  of  duty,  and  fearlessness. 

It  is  happy  for  us,  when  God  counts  us  wor- 
thy to  suffer  for  his  name's  sake. 

Afflictions,  undergone  with  resignation,  are 
the  great  test  of  our  love  of  God  ;  when  we 
love  him,  then  he  chastens  us.  May  God  sanc- 
tify all  our  afflictions  to  us  all ! 

May  I  receive  every  thing  from  thy  hand 
with  patience  and  with  joy.  Remember  me,  O 
God,  in  the  day  of  trouble.  Secure  me  by  thy 
grace  from  all  excess  of  fear ,  concern^  and  sad- 
n$s$S 

•Let  my  afflictions  be  in  some  measure  service- 
able toward  appeasing  thy  wrath.  Let  them 
prove  the  happy  occasion  of  forwarding  my 
conversion  and  salvation. 

Temptation. 

We  are  exposed  to  temptation  all  our  days. 
Men  are  never  more  dangerously  tempted,  than 
when  they  think  themselves  secure  from  tempt- 
ation. This  is  a  proof  of  the  power,  the  devil 
has  over  them. 

We  tempt  God,  when  we  expose  ourselves 
unnecessarily  to  dangers  through  false  confidence 
of  his  assistance. 


SACRA  PRIVATA,  69 

Despair.      Hope. 

Grant,  O  God,  that  amid  all  the  discourage- 
ments,  difficulties,  dangers,  distress,  and  dark- 
ness of  this  mortal  life,  I  may  depend  on  thy 
mercy,  and  on  this  build  my  hopes,  as  on  a 
sure  foundation. 

Let  thine  infinite  mercy  in  Christ  Jesus  de- 
liver me  from  despair,  both  now  and  at  the 
hour  of  death. 

Resignation. 

Grant  that  I  may  receive  the  punishment  of 
my  sins  with  patience  and  resignation. 
Injuries.     Persecution. 

Give  me,  O  God,  a  heart  to  consider,  that 
man  could  have  no  power  against  me,  unless  it 
\vere  given  from  above. 

Enemies. 

A  Christian  should  not  discover  that  he  has 

enemies  any  other  way,  than  by  doing  more  good 

to  them,  than  to  others.     If  thine  enemy  hunger -, 

feed  him  ;  if  he  thirst ,  give  him  drink.     He  will 

therefore  be  careful  not  to  lose  such  occasions. 

O  Jesus,  whose  charity  all  the  malice  of  thy 
bitterest  enemies  could  not  overcome,  shed  a- 
broad  in  my  heart  that  most  excellent  gift  of 
charity,  the  very  bond  of  peace  and  of  all  vir- 
tues.. 

Eccles.  viii.  7.  Rejoice  not  over  thy  greatest 
enemy  being  dead  ;  but  remember  that  we  die  all. 

Our  enemies  are  our  benefactors,  procuring 
for  us  a  new  right  to  Heaven.  I  pray  God 
to  convert  all  those,  who  hate  us  without  a 
cause. 


70  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

I  beseech  Thee  for  my  enemies,  not  for  ven- 
geance, but  for  mercy  :  that  thou  wouldest 
change  their  hearts  by  thy  -grace,  or  restrain 
their  malice  by  thy  power. 

In  Time  of  War. 

O  Sovereign  Lord,  who  for  our  sins  art  justly 
displeased,  I  prostrate  myself  bei ore  Thee,  con- 
fessing my  own  sin  ancHhe  sin  of  this  people  ;  ac- 
knowledging the  justice  of  any  scourge,  which 
Thou  shalt  think  fit  to  bring  upon  us  ;  and 
trembling  to  think,  how  much  I  may  have  con- 
tributed toward  it. 

Thou  hast  already  spoken  to  us  both  by  thy 
judgments  and  mercies,  both  by  the  scarcity 
and  plenty  of  bread  ;  and  we  have  not  regard- 
ed it.  Thou  hast  taken  away  the  lives  of  many, 
very  many,  in  their  very  sins,  by  which  nume- 
rous widows  and  fatherless  children  have  been 
left  miserable. 

The  sins  of  whoredom  and  drunkenness  ;  of 
swearing,  lying,  and  perjury  ;  of  litigiousness, 
injustice,  and  defrauding  the  publick,  are  made 
light  of.  The  sins  of  impiety,  of  profaneness,  of 
despising  the  means  of  grace  and  salvation,  are 
common  among  us.  What  shall  we  say,  to 
prevail  with  God  to  avert  the  judgments, 
which  these  sins  deserve  ? 

God  be  merciful  unto  us,  and  put  a  stop  to 
this  torrent  of  wickedness  ;  put  thy  fear  into 
all  our  hearts,  that  we  may  return  to  Thee  ; 
that  we  may  repent,  and  bring  forth  fruit, 
meet  for  repentance  ;  and  that  iniquity  may 
not  be  our  ruin. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  71 

May  the  dread  of  thy  now  threatened  judg- 
ments Jeter  us  from  evil  ;  may  thy  goodness 
and  patience  lead  us  to  repentance  ;  weaken  the 
power  of  Satan  ;  take  from  ampngus  the  spir- 
it of  slumber,  of  ignorance,  and  inconsideration. 

Let  every  one  of  us  see  and  feel  the  plague  of 
his  own  heart,  and  sav,  what  have  I  done  to 
bring  these  evils  upon  us  ?  So  that,  bringing 
forth  fruits  answerable  to  amendment  of  life,  we 
may  escape  thy  judgment,  now  hanging  over  us  ; 
and  above  all  thy  judgment  against  sinners  in  the 
world  to  come.  This  I  beg  for  Jesus  Christ's 
sake.  Amen. 

Judgment  Day. 

Grant,   O  Lord,  that  I  may  be  of  the  num- 
ber of  those,  that  shall  find  mercy  at  that  day. 
Zaccheus. 

The  good  Lord  grant  that  I  may  give  proof 
of  the  sincerity  of  my  conversion  by  a  change 
of  Jife. 


WEDNESDAY  MEDITATIONS. 

Covetousness.      Fasting.      Difficulties. 

Sel^  Denial. 

Mattlft.  iv.  9.  10.  All  these  things  will  I  give. 
Get  thee  hence^  Satan,  for  it  is  written,  thou 
shalt  worship  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  him  only 
shalt  thou  serve. 

GREAT  and  glorious  God,  who  alone  art 
r    worthy  of  our  love  and  service,  cure  me 
of,  and  preserve  me  from  the  sin  and  vanity  of 
admring  this  world. 


7<2  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

Give  me  grace  to  renounce  all  covetous 
desires,  all  love  of  riches  and  pleasures  ;  to  de- 
sire only  what  is  necessary,  and  to  be  content 
with  what  Thou,  O  Lord,  thinkest  so  ;  not  to 
be  troubled  at  the  loss  or  want  of  any  thing  be- 
side thy  favor  ;  that  no  business,  no  pleasures, 
jiiay  divert  me  from  thoughts  of  the  world  to 
come  ;  that  I  may  cheerfully  part  with  all  these 
things,  when  thou  requirest  it  of  me  ;  and, 
that  I  may  ever  be  prepared  to  do  so,  dispose  me 
to  temperance  in  all  things,  and  to  lay  up  my 
treasure  in  Heaven,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake* 
Amen. 

Luke,  vi.  24.  Wo  unto  you,  that  are  rich, 
for  ye  have  received  your  consolation. 

A  man  must  have  but  little  faith,  who  can 
read  these  words,  and  yet  love  riches,  and  the 
pleasures,  they  afford.  Lord,  grant  that  I 
may  resist  every  temptation  to  the  love  of  crea- 
tures ;  lest  they  steal  my  heart  from  Thee,  my 
God,  whom  I  desire  to  love  with  all  my  soul. 

1  know  that  I  must  in  a  great  measure  re- 
nounce all  other  objects  of  my  affection,  in  or- 
der to  love  Thee  with  all  my  heart.  Lord, 
give  me  grace  and  strength  to  put  this  in  prac- 
tice. 

i  John  ii.  15.  Love  not  the  world,  nor  the 
things,  that  are  in  the  world  ;  if  any  man  love 
the  world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him. 

Grant,  O  God,  that  I  may  never  hope  to  re- 
concile two  things  so  inconsistent,  as  love  of 
Thee  and  the  world. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  75 

Matth.  v.  3.  Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit ; 
for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

To  be  poor  in  spirit  is  to  be  disengaged  from 
wealth  ,  to  look  upon  it,  as  a  burthen,  or  as  a 
trust. 

i  Tim.  vi.  8.  Having  food  and  raiment,  let 
us  be  therewith  content. 

Yet  even  the  Christian  world  is  not  content 
without  superfluities  and  excess.  These  disor- 
ders are  not  less  criminal,  because  so  common. 

Give  me,~O  God,  the  eye  of  faith,  that  I 
may  see  the  world,  as  it  is  ;  the  vanity  of  its 
promises,  the  folly  of  its  pleasures,  the  unprofit- 
ableness of  its  rewards,  the  multitude  of  its 
snares,  and  the  dangers  of  its  temptations* 
Fasting. 

Jesus  Christ  spared  not  his  innocent  flesh, 
but  fasted  ;  the  sinner  cherisheth  his  continual- 
ly, refusing  it  nothing.  Fasting  is  in  some  sense 
a  punishment  for  past  sins,  a  remedy  for  pre- 
sent temptations^  and  a  preservative  against  fu- 
ture. 

Psa.  cii.  4,  My  heart  is  smitten,  and  wither* 
ed  like  grass  ;  so  that  I  forget  to  eat  my  bread. 

The  tumble  and  afflicted  soul  Is  not  much 
concerned  to  please  appetite* 

Luke.  vi.  25.  Wo  unto  you,  that  are  fulj, 
for  ye  shall  hunger  ;  that  is,  ye,  whose  daily 
meals  are  feasts,  who  make  profession  of  a  life 
of  sensuality,  who  know  not  what  it  is  to  fast  j 
wo  to  buch  Christians ! 
G 


74  SACRA  PRJVATA. 

If  we  judge  ourselves  with  severity,  we  shall 
be  judged  with  mercy. 

In  time  of  Trouble. 

Psa.  xxxix.  ii.  When  thou  with  rebukes 
dost  correct  man  for  iniquity,  thou  makest  his 
beauty  to  consume  away,  like  a  moth. 

0  merciful  God,  who  in  thy  wise  providence 
dost  so  order    even  natural  events,  that   they 
serve   both  for  the  good   of  the  universe  and 
for  the  conviction   of  particular  sinners,  so  that 
men  have  reason    to  acknowledge   thy  glorious 
attributes  ;    I  do  with  great  sorrow  of  heart, 
but  with  all   submission  to  thy  good  pleasure, 
confess  thy  mercy  as  well  as  justice  to  me  in  the 
judgments )  afflictions,  and  sorrows  of  this  day. 

1  acknowledge  thy  voice,   O  merciful   God  ; 
I  acknowledge   my   own  transgressions,  which 
have  provoked  Thee  to  speak  to  me  after  this 
n.anner,  and  at  this  very  time. 

O  Lord,  give  me  true  repentance  for  all  the 
errors  of  my  life,  an \  particularly  for  that,  uhich 
\\as  in  all  probability  the  occasion  of  this  afflic- 
tion. 

Blessed  be  God,  that  my  punishment  is  not 
as  great,  as  my  crime.  Blessed  be  God,  that 
he  hav  given  me  time  to  repent  of  the  sin,  that 
provoked  him  to  deal  with  me  after  this  manner, 
Blessed  be  God,  that,  when  he  spake  to  me  once, 
yea  twice,  I  regarded  it  at  last. 

Good  God  of  mercy,  give  me  grace,  that  I 
may  not  provoke  Thee  any  more  to  repeat  this 
word  to  jue>  but  that  1  may  faithfully  perform 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  75 

those  vows,  which  are  upon  me.  This  I  can* 
not  do  without  thy  gracious  assistance,  which  I 
most  humbly  beseech  Thee  to  vouchsafe  me  for 
Jesus  Christ's  sake,  who  by  his  merits  has  pur* 
chased  this  grace  for  all,  that  faithfully  ask  it  of 
Thee.  For  his  sake,  O  merciful  God,  grant 
me  this  gnice.  Amen. 

I  do  with  all  humility  accept  the  punishment 
of  my  iniquities.  I  will  hold  my  peace,  and 
not  open  my  mouth  ;  because  it  is  thy  doing 
and  my  deserving.  I  know,  O  Lord,  that  it  is 
good  for  me  to  be  in  trouble,  cr  Thou  would*- 
est  not  suffer  it  so  to  be. 

Let  thy  merciful  kindness  be  my  comfort,  ac- 
cording to  thy  promise  to  all,  that  love  and 
serve  Thee. 

"Difficulties. 

We  are  to  pray  for  the  particular  direction 
of  God's  Holy  Spirit  upon  all  great  occasions  ; 
we  are  humbly  to  depend  upon,  and  cheerfully 
•to  expect  it. 

In  a  Lawsuit. 

Convince  me,  O  God,  if  I  be  under  any  mis- 
take in  this  affair.  Direct,  assist,  and  support 
me  under  all  the  difficulties,  I  shall  meet.  Put 
a  happy  end,  in  thy  good  time,  to  this  trouble- 
some controversy.  Dispose  the  hearts  of  those, 
with  whom  we  have  to  do,  to  peace  and  justice. 

Give  me  grace  to  rest  satisfied  with  whatev- 
er shall  be  the  issue,  believing  assuredly  that 
GOD  can  make  good  any  loss,  I  may  sustain,  or 
sanctify  it  to  my  eternal  welfare. 


76  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

Lord,  in   this,  and  in  all  other  things,  I  un- 
deru.ke,  thy  will  be  done,   and  not  mine.     O 
manifest  thy  will  to  me,  preserve  me  from  evil 
counsels,  and  rash  enterprises. 
Faith. 

Grant,  O  God,  that  I  may  with  humility  re- 
ceive, and  with  perseverance  hold  fast,  all  those 
truths,  which  Thou  hast  revealed. 

I  thank  Thee,  O  God,  for  thy  holy  word, 
and  that  Thou  hast  not  left  us,  in  the  affair  of 
eternity,  to  the  uncertainty  of  our  own  reason 
and  judgment. 

Defend  me  against  all  delusions  of  error,  the 
snares  of  wit  and  learning,  the  raileries  of  pro- 
fane men,  and  from  deserting  the  truth. 

Open  the  eyes  of  all,  thai  are  in  error  ;  heal 
the  wounds  of  our  divided  church  ;  that  we 
may  be  one  fold  under  one  Shepherd.  Amen. 

John  xvi.  13.  The  Holy  Spirit  shall  guide 
you  into  all  truth. 

O  Holy  Spirit,  make  me  to  understand,  em- 
brace, and  love  the  truths  of  the  gospel. 

Give,  O  God,  thy  blessing  unto  thy  word, 
that  it  may  become  effectual  to  my  conversion 
and  salvation,  and  to  the  salvation  df  all,  that 
read  and  hear  it. 

Give  me  grace  to  read  thy  holy  word  with 

reverence   and  respect,   becoming  the  gracious 

*  manifestation  of  thy  will  to  men  ;  submitting 

my  understanding  and  will  to  thine. 

\      Let  thy  gracious  promises,  O  God,  contained 

in  thy  word,  quicken  my  obedience.     Let  thy 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  77 

dreadful  threatenings  and  judgments  upon  sin- 
ners frighten  me  from  sin,  and  oblige  me  to 
speedy  repentance,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 

Cause  me,  O  God,  to  believe  thy  word,  to 
obey  thy  commands,  to  fear  thy  judgments, 
and  to  hope  in,  and  depend  upon  thy  gracious 
promises,  contained  in  thy  holy  word,  for  Je- 
sus Christ's  sake. 

Give  me  full  persuasion  of  those  great  truths, 
which  Thou  hast  revealed  in  thy  holy  word. 

The  gospel  will  not  be  a  mean  of  salvation  to 
him,  who  reads  or  hears  it  only  ;  but  to  him, 
who  reads,  loves,  remembers,  and  practices  it 
by  a  lively  faith. 

Cause  me,  O  God,  rightly  to  understand, 
and  constantly  to  walk  in,  the  way  of  thy  com- 
mandments. 

Grant  us  in  this  world  knowledge  of  thy 
truth,  and  in  the  world  to  come  life  everlasting, 
for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 

FronT hardness  of  heart  and  contempt  of  thy 
word,  good  Lord,  deliver  us. 

Give  us   grace  to  hear   meekly  thy  word,  to 
receive  it  with  pure  affection,  to  bring  forth  the 
fruits  of  the  spirit,  and  to  amend  our  lives  ac- 
cording to  thy  holy  word.      Amen. 
Self  Denial 

Eccles.  xix.  5.  He,  that  reshteth  pleasures, 
crowneth  his  life. 

Vouchsafe   me,  gracious   God,  the  graces  of 
mortification  and  self  denial?  that,  my  affections 
and  flesh  being  subdued  unto  the  spirit,  and  my 
G  2 


78     ,  S^CRA  PRIVATA. 

heart  and  all  my  members  being  mortified  from 
all  carnal  and  worldly  lusts,  I  may  ever  obey 
thy  blessed  will,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord, 
Awen. 

All  mankind  being  under  the  sentence  of 
death,  certain  to  be  executed,  and  at  an  hour 
we  know  not  of  ;  a  state  of  repentance  and 
self  denial^  of  deadness  and  crucifixion  to  the 
world,  is  certainly  the  most  suitable,  the  most 
becoming  temper,  in  which  we  can  be  found, 
when  that  sentence  comes  to  be  executed  ; 
that  is,  when  we  come  to  die  ;  especially  when 
we  consider,  that  this  short  and  uncertain  time, 
allowed  us  between  the  sentence  and  execution, 
will  determine  our  condition  for  eternity. 

If  this  be  the  ca^e  of  fallen  man,  as  most  cer- 
tainly it  is,  then  thoughtless,  unremitting  pleas- 
ure is  the  greatest  indecency  ;  fondness  for  the 
world  the  greatest  folly  j  and  self  indulgence 
downright  madness. 

Consequently  the  contrary  to  these,  namely, 
constant  seriousness  of  temper,  an  universal  care 
and  exactness  of  life,  and  indifference  for  the 
world,  self  denial,  sobriety,  and  watchfulness, 
must  be  our  greatest  wisdom. 

This  discovers  to  us  the  reason  and  necessity 
of  all  the  duties  of  Christianity,  and  of  God's 
dealings  with  fallen  man  in  this  state  of  trial. 

For  instance  ;  ,  Jesus  Christ  commands  us  to 
deny  ourselves  and  to  take  up  our  cross  dally  ; 
not  because-  he  can  command,  what  he  pleases, 
(for  he  is  infinite  goodness,  and  can  command 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  79 

nothing,  but  what  is  good  for  his  creatures) 
but  because  the  corruption  of  our  nature  re- 
quires that  we  be  forbidden  every  thing,  which 
would  increase  our  disorder.  And  because  this 
disorder  has  spread  itself  through  all  the  pow- 
ers of  our  souls  and  bodies,  and  incline;  us  to 
evil  continually,  he  requires  that  our  self  denial 
reach  as  far,  as  our  corruption. 

He  commands  us  therefore  to  deny  our  own 
wisdom,  because  we  are  really  blind  as  to  what 
concerns  our  own  true  good,  and  should  in- 
fallibly ruin  ourselves,  if  left  to  our  own  choice. 
He  commands  us  to  deny  our  appetites,  because 
intemperance  would  ruin  us,  He  forbids  us  to 
give  way  to  our  passions,  because  a  thousand 
evils  will  follow,  if  we  do  so. 

He  obliges  us  to  keep  a  very  strict  watch  over 
our  hearts,  because  thence  proceed  hypocrisy, 
covetou^ness,  malice,  and  many  other  evils.  We 
are  forbidden  to  set  our  hearts  upon  the  world 
and  every  thing  in  it,  because  our  eternal  hap- 
piness depends  upon  our  loving  God  with  all 
our  heart  and  soul. 

We  are  obliged  to  love  our  neighbour,  and 
our  very  enemies  ;  and  are  forbidden  to  hate, 
to  contend  with,  to  hurt,  to  go  to  law  with 
him,  because  this  would  exasperate  our  minds, 
and  grieve  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God,  by  which 
we  are  sanctified  ;  being  against  that  charity,  in 
which  God  delights. 

We  are  forbidden  to  repine,  when  G  )d  af- 
flicts us,  because,  as  sinners,  suffering  is  due  to 


8o  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

us  ;  and,  because  our  bodies  have  a  very  great 
influence  over  our  souls,  \ve  are  commanded  to 
fast,  and  to  be  strictly  temperate  at  all  times, 
and  to  deny  ourselves  the  love  of  sensual  pleas- 
ures and  self  indulgence. 

We  are  commanded  to  deny  all  the  wavs  of 
folly,  vanity,  and  false  satisfaction,  that  we  may 
be  able  tp  take  satisfaction  and  pleasure  in  the 
ways  of  God. 

In  short,  in  whatever  instances  we  are  com- 
manded to  deny  ourselves,  it  is  because  it  is  ab- 
solutely necessary,  either  to  cure  our  corruption, 
or  to  qualify  us  for  the  grace  of  God,  or  to 
hinder  us  from  grieving  God's  Holy  Spirit,  and 
forcing  him  to  forsake  us. 

The  more  \ve  deny  ourselves,  the  freer  we 
shall  be  from  sin,  and  the  more  dear  to  God. 
God  appoints  us  to  sufferings,  that  we  may  keep 
close  TO  Him.  and  that  we  may  value  the  suffer- 
ings of  his  Son,  of  which  we  should  have  but  a 
low  notion,  did  not  our  own  experience  teach 
us,  what  it  is  to  suffer. 

They,  who  deny  themselves,  will  be  sure  of 
finding  their  strength  increased,  their  affections 
raised,  and  their  inward  peace  continually  ad- 
vanced. 

i.  Tim.  vi.  8.  Having  food  and  raiment,  let 
us  be  therewith  content. 

Let  us  not  imagine  that  excess,  luxury,  super- 
fluity, and  love  of  pleasure,  are  less  criminal,  be- 
cause they  are  so  common. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  81 

Take  up  the  Cross. 

This  is  designed,  as  a  peculiar  favor  to  Chris- 
tians, as  indeed  are  all  Christ's  commands. 
Mi  cries  are  the  unavoidable  portion  of  fallen 
man.  All  the  difference  is,  Christians  suffer  in 
obedience  to  the  will  of  God,  which  makes  them 
easy  ;  unbelievers  suffer  the  same  things,  but 
with  an  uneasy  mind. 

To  follow  our  own  will,  passions, .and  senses, 
makes  us  miserable.  For  this  reason,  and  that 
we  may  have  a  remedy  for  all  our  evils,  Jesus 
Christ  obliges  us  to  submit  our  will,  our  pas- 
sions, &c.  to  God. 

A  good  Christian  is  not  one,  who  has  no  in- 
clination to  sin,  (for  we  have  all  the  seed  of  sin 
in  us)  but  one,  who,  being  sensible  of  such  in- 
clinations, denies  ,them  continually,  and  suffers 
them  not  to  grow  into  evil  actions. 

Every  day  deny  yourself  some  satisfaction  ; 
your  eyes,  objects  of  mere  curiosity  ;  your  tongue, 
every  thing,  that  may  feed  vanity,  or  vent  en- 
mity ;  the  palate,  dainties  ;  the  ears,  flattery, 
and  whatever  corrupts  the  heart  ;  the  body,  ease 
and  luxury  ;  bearing  all  the  inconveniences  of 
life,  cold,  hunger,  restless  nights,  ill  health,  un- 
welcome news,  fault  g  of  servants,  contempt,  in- 
gratitude of  friends,  malice  of  enemies,  calum- 
nies, our  own  failings,  lowness  of  spirits,  the 
struggle  in  overcoming  our  corruptions  ;  bear- 
ing all  these  with  patience  and  resignation  to  the 
will  of  God.  Do  all  this,  as  unto  God,  with 
the  greatest  privacy. 


82  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

All  ways  are  indifferent  to  one,  who  has  Heav- 
en in  his  eye,  as  a  traveller  does  not  choose  the 
pleasantest,  hut  the  shortest,  and  safest  way  to 
his  journey's  end  ;  and  this  is  the  way  of  the 
cross,  which  Jesus  Chri  t  chose  and  sanctified  to 
all  his  followers. 

.  Matth.  viii.  20.     The*  Son  of  man   has  not 
•where  to  lay  his  head. 

This  should  fill  us  with  confusion,  whenever 
we  are  overmuch  concerned  for  the  conveniences 
of  life.  Our  affections  being  very  strongly  in- 
clined to  sensible  good,  for  the  sake  of  which 
\ve  are  often  tempted  to  evil,  and  fail  into  great 
disorders,  we  should  resolve  to  sacrifice  our 
will  to  reason,  and  reason  to  the  wrord  of  God. 
'  God  does  not .  require  it  of  us,  that  we  feel 
not  any  uneasiness  under  the  cross,  but  that 
\ve  strive  to  overcome  it  by  his  grace. 
Virtues  of  a  holy  life. 

Fervency  in  devotion,  frequency  in  prayer, 
aspiring  after  the  love  of  God  continually,  striv- 
ing to  get  above  the  world  and  the  body,  k  ve 
of  silence  andsolitude  as  far,  as  one's  condition 
will  permit,  humility  and  affability  toward  all, 
patience  under  affronts  and  contradictions,  de- 
light in  occasions  of  doing  good,  even  to  ene- 
mies, doing  the  will  of  God,  and  promoting 
his  honor  to  the  utmost  of  one's  power,  resolv- 
ing never  to  offend  him  willingly  for  any  tem- 
poral pleasure,  profa,  or  loss  ;  these  are  virtues 
highly  pleasing  to  God. 

Self  denial  does  not  consist  in  fasting  and  oth- 


SACRA  PR1VATA.  38 

cr  mortifications  only,  but  in  Indifference  to  the 
world^  its  profits,  pleasures,  honors,  and  its  oth- 
er idols. 

It  is  necessary,  that  we  deny  ourselves  in  little 
things,  when  conscience,  which  is  the  voice  of 
God,  suggests  it  to  us,  as  we  hope  ever  to  get  the 
rule  of  our  own  will.  Say  not,  it  is  a  trifle, 
and  not  fit  to  he  sacrificed  to  God.  He,  who 
will  not  sacrifice  a  little  affection,  will  hardly  of- 
fer a  greater.  It  is  not  the  thing,  but  the  rea- 
son and  manner  of  doing  it,  namely,  for  God's 
sake,  and  that  I  may  accustoqci  myself  to  obe 
his  voice,  that-G'xl  regards,  and  rewards  wii 
greater  degrees  of  grace. 

The  greater  your  self  denial,  the  firmer  your 
faith,  and  more  acceptable  to  God.  The  sin- 
cere devotion  of  the  rich,  the  alms  of  the  poor, 
the  humility  of  the  great,  the  faith  of  those, 
whose  condition  is  desperate,  contemning  the 
world,  when  one  can  command  it  at  pleasure, 
continuing  instant  in  prayer,  even  when  we 
want  the  consolation,  we  expected  ;  these,  -ind 
like  instances  of  self  denial,  God  will  greatly  re- 
ward. 

They,  who  imagine  that  self  denial  intrenches 
upon  our  liberty,  do  not  know  that  it  is  this 
only,  that  can  make  us  free  indeed,  giving  us 
the  victory  over  ourselves,  setting  us  free  from 
the  bondage  of  our  corruption,  enabling  UL  to 
bear  afflictions,  (which  will  come  one  time  or 
other)  to  foresee  them  without .  amazemcnr  en- 
lightening the  miad,  sanctifying  the  will,  and 


84  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

making  us  slight  those  baubles,  for  which  others 
so  eagerly  contend. 

Mortification  consists  in  so  sparing  a  use  of  the 
creatures,  as  may  deaden  our  love  for  them, 
and  make  us  more  indifferent  in  the  enjoyment 
of  them.  This  lessens  the  power  of  concupis- 
cence, which  carries  us  to  evil,  and  so  makes 
the  grace.,  of  God  more  effectual  to  turn  the 
balance  of  the  will. 

Carnal  man  cannot  comprehend  that  God 
loves  those,  whom  he  permits  to  suffer  ;  but 
faith  teaches  us  that  the  cross  is  the  gift  of  his 
love  and  the  mark  of  his  children.  But,  unless 
God  sanctify  it  by  his  Spirit,  it  becomes  an 
insupportable  burden,  a  subject  of  murmuring, 
and  an  occasion  of  sin. 

He,  who  loveth  life,  (that  is,  is  'fond  of  it) 
for  the  sake  of  the  pleasures  and  advantages, 
it  affords,  will  soon  lose  the  love  of  heavenly 
things  ;  the  love  of  God,  of  his  soul,  and  of 
the  duty,  he  owes  to  them.  He  hates  life,  who 
does  not  value  it  in  comparison  with  eternal 
life.  A  Christian  gives  proof  of  this  by  mor* 
tifying  himself.  Those,  whom  God  loves,  he 
weans  from  the  pleasure  of  this  present  life, 
to  prepare  them  for  a  happy  eternity. 

Temperance  consists  in  a  sober  use  of  earthly, 
visible  things,  and  in  confining  ourbelvec;  wuhin 
the  compass  of  what  is  necessary. 

With  God  all  things  are  possible. 
'The  Almighty    God  enable  me    to  conquer 
the  temptatioes  of  riches,  and  to  rice  above  tue 
allurements  of  this  present  lire  ! 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  85 

Christian  self  denial  is  to  resist  and  crucify 
in  ourselves  the  spirit  ahd  inclinations  of  Adam  ; 
of  the  flesh,  its  affections  and  lusts  ;  and  to  die 
to  our  passions,  in  order  to  follow  the  motions 
of  the  Spirit. 

Fasting  is  necessary  to  bring  our  hearts  to  a 
penitent,  holy,  and  devout  temper  ;  and  to  per- 
form the  vows,  that  are  upon  us. 

By  fasting,  by  alms,  and  by  prayers,  we  dedi- 
cate our  bodies*,  goods±  and  souls  to  God,  in  a 
particular  manner. 


THURSDAY     MEDITATIONS. 

Ephes.  iv.  29.  Let  no  corrupt  communication 
proceed  out  of  your  mouth  ;  but  that,  which  is 
good  to  the  use  of  edifying,  that  it  may  minister 
grace  unto  the  hearers. 

Ephes.  v.  4.  Foolish  talking  and  jesting  are  not 
convenient. 

PRESERVE  me,  O  God,  from  vain  con- 
versation      Give  me  grace  never  to  be  a- 
shamed  or  afraid  ro  speak  of  Thee  and  of  thy 
law. 

Give  me  a  lively  sense  of  the  value  of  reli* 

gion,  and  make  it  the  delight  of  my  heart  ; 

that  I  may  speak  of  it  with  judgment,  serious* 

ness,  and  affection,  and  at  all  seasonable  times* 

May  that  good  Spirit,  which  appeared  in  the 

H 


86  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

likeness    of  tongues  of    fire,  warm  my  heart, 
and  direct  my  thoughts  ! 

Matth.  xii.  34.  Out  of  the  abundance  of  the 
heart  the  mouth  speaketh.  How  can  ye,  being 
evil,  speak  good  things  ?  By  thy  words  thou 
shcrit  be  justified,  and  by  thy  words  thou  shalt 
be  condemned, 

Psa.  cxli.  3.  Set  a  guard,  O  Lord,  upon  my 
srioutlvand  keep  the  door  of  my  lips. 

Psa.  xxxvii.  30.  The  mouth  of  the  righteous 
speaketh  wisdom,  and  his  tongue  talketh  of 
judgment, 

Hearts,  truly  touched  with  the  love  of  God, 
will  communicate  light  and  heat  to  each  other ; 
will  speak  honorably  of  God,  of  his  perfections, 
his  justice,  goodness,  wisdom,  and  power  ;  of 
the  excellency  of  his  laws,  the  pleasantness  of  his 
service ;  of  the  instances  of  his  love,  of  the  re- 
gards, he  has  promised  to  his  friends,  and  of 
the  punishments,  he  has  prepared  for  his  cue* 
mies. 

Matth.  v.  1 6.  Let  your  light  so  shine  before 
men,  that  they  may  see  your  good  works,  and 
glorify  your  Father,  who  is  in  heaven, 

i  Tbess.  v.i  i.  Therefore  comfort  yourselves 
together,  and  edify  one  another. 

Heb.  x.  24.  Let  us  consider  one  another,  to 
provoke  unto  love,  and  to  good  works. 

Let  us  join  a  good  life  to  our  religious  con- 
versation, and  never  contradict  our  tcngue  by 
our  deeds.  We  always  do  good  or  harm  te> 


SACRA  PRIVATA.:  87 

others  by  the  manner  of  our  conversation  ;  \ve 
either  confirm  them  in  sin,  or  awaken  them  to 
piety. 

It  is  too  true,  that  some  evil  passion  or  other, 
and  to  gratify  our  corruption,  is  the  aim  of 
most  conversations.  We  love  to  speak  of  past 
troubles  ;  hatred  and  ill  will  make  us  take 
pleasure  in  relating  the  evil  actions  of  our  ene* 
mies.  We  compare  with  some  degrees  of  pride 
the  advantages,  we  have  over  others.  We  re- 
count with  too  sensible  a  pleasure  the  worldly 
happiness,  we  enjoy.  This  strengthens  our  pas- 
sions, and  increases  our  corruption.  God  grant 
that  I  may  watch  against  a  weakness,  which 
has  so  evil  consequences. 

May  1'iiever  hear,  never  repeat- with  pleasure* 
such  things,  as  may  dishonor  God,  hurt  my 
own  character,  or  injure  my  neighbour. 

yames  vj;  n.    Speak  not  evil  one  of  an  oilier. 

True  humility  makes  us  see  our  own  faults 
without  concerning  ourselves  with  the  faults  of 
other. 

Against  Anger. 

Eccles.  vii.  9.  Be  not  hasty  in  thy  spirit  to 
be  angry,  for  anger  resteth  in  the  bosom  of  fools. 

O  Lord,  who  art  a  God  ready  to  pardon, 
slow  to  anger,  and  of  great  kindness,  remove 
far  from  me  all  occasions  and  effects  of  causeless 
and  immoderate  anger  ;  all  pride  and  prejudice, 
and  too  much  concern  for  the  things  of  this- 


88  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

world  ;  all  intemperate  speeches  and  indecent 
passions. 

Give  me,  O  God,  a  mild,  a  peaceable,  a 
meek,  and  a  humble  spirit  ;  that,  remembering 
my  own  infirmities,  I  may  bear  with  those  of 
others  ;  that  I  may  think  lowly  of  myself,  and 
not  be  angry,  when  others  also  think  lowly  of 
me  ;  that  I  may  be  patient  toward  all  men, 
gentle  and  easy  to  be  intreated  ;  that  God  for 
Christ's  sake  may  be  so  toward  me.  Amen. 

Ephts.  5v.  26.  Be  angry,  and  sin  not ;  let 
not  the  sun  go  down  upon  your  wrath. 

Prov.  xix.  1 1 .  The  discretion  of  a  man  de- 
ferreth  his  anger. 

A  soft  answer  turneth  away  strife. 

Prov.  xvi.  32.  He,  that  is  slow  to  anger,  is 
better,  than  the  mighty  ;  and  he,  that  ruleth  his 
spirit,  than  he,  that  taketh  a  city. 

Row.  xii.  10.  Be  kindly  affectioned  one  to- 
ward another. 

Suppress:  jhe  very  beginning  of  anger.  Do 
not  indulge  it,  even  where  there  are  real  faults  ; 
but  try  the  gentle  way,  which  may  probably 
succeed  better,  and  with  more  eavse. 

Seldom  do  people  vex  us  on  purpose ;  and 
yet  prejudice  very  often  makes  us  think  that 
they  do.  A  sense  of  one's  own  integrity  will 
jnake  one  pass  by  injuries  more  easily. 

Be  not  too  much  concerned  to  tell  the  inju- 
ries, you  have  received.  Accustom  yourself  to 
silence,  if  you  would  learn  to  govern  your 
tongue. 


SACRA  PRIVATA,  89 

Deliver  me,  O  God,  from  all  violent  and  sin- 
ful passions,  and  give  me  grace  to  stand  against 
them. 

Matth.  v.  4.     Blessed  are  the  rneek. 

Instruct  me.  Lord,  in  this  Christian  virtue  j 
Thou,  who  art  the  master  and  teacher  of  it* 

For  forgivenes.s    of  injuries* 

Luke  vi.  37.  Forgive,  and  ye  shall  be  for- 
given. 

O  God,  who  alone  canst  order  the  unruly 
wills  and  affections  of  sinful  men,  show  mercy 
to  thy  servant  by  making  my  corrupt  nature 
obedient  to  thy  commands. 

O  God,  who  hast  made  it  my  everlasting  in- 
terest as  well,  as  my  duty,  to  forgive  my  neigh* 
bour,  whatever  wrong  he  has  done  me  ;  help  me 
to  overcome  all  the  difficulties,  I  have  to  strug- 
gle with ;  all  pride,  prejudice,  and  desire  of 
rendering  evil  for  evil  ;  that  I  may  not  deprive 
my  soul  of  that  mercy,  which  thy  infinite  good- 
ness has  offered  to  sinners. 

James  ii.  13.  He  shall  have  judgment  with- 
out mercy*  that  hath  showed  no  mercy. 

O  blessed  God,  help  me  in  this  great  con- 
cern, that  I  may  never  fall  under  thy  wrath  for 
want  of  showing  mercy  to  others  ;  but  grant, 
O  blessed  Jesus,  that  in  this  1  may  be  thy  disei- 
ple  indeed.  Amen. 

H  2 


^o  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

Slander. 

Matth.  xi.  1 9.  The  Son  of  Man  came  eating 
and  drinking,  and  they  say,  behold  a  man  glutton- 
ous and  a  winebibber,  a  friend  of  publicans  and 
sinners. 

Whatever  measure  a  good  man  takes,  he 
will  hardly  escape  the  censure  of  the  world  ; 
the  best  way  is,  not  to  be  concerned  at  them. 

It  is  an  instance  of  humility,  silently  to  bear 
the  calumnies,  which  are  raised  against  us,  when 
they  relate  to  ourselves  only  ;  but  it  is  a  duty 
of  prudence  and  charity,  modestly  to  vindicate 
ourselves,  when  the  honor  of  God  and  the 
Church  is  concerned. 

Both  Jesus  Christ  and  John  the  Baptist  were 
slandered  ;  who  then  will  complain,  that  they 
cannot  satisfy  the  world,  and  stop  men's 
mouths  ? 

Psa.  cxx.  2.  Deliver  my  soul,  O  Lord, 
from  lying  lips,  and  from  a  deceitful  tongue. 

Uncharitableness. 

Envy  makes  us  see,  what  will  serve  to  accuse 
others;  and  not  perceive,  what  ipay  justify 
them.  A  truly  good  man  is  always  disposed  to 
excuse,  what  is  evil  in  his  brethren,  as  far,  as 
truth  will  suffer  him. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  gt 

FRIDAY   MEDITATIONS, 

PENITENCE. 

Luke  xviii.  3.  The  Publican,  standing  afar  off? 
'would  not  so  much  as  lift  up  his  eyes  to  Heaven  ; 
but  smote  upon  his  breast,  saying,  God  ^  be  mer- 
ciful to  me,  a  sinner. 

WHAT  would  become  of   me,  if   Thou, 
O  God,  shouldest  not  have  mercy  up- 
on me  ? 

When  I  seriously  consider  these  dreadful 
truths,  that  all  they  are  accursed,  who  do  err 
and  go  astray  from  thy  commandments ;  that  the 
unprofitable  servant  was  cast  into  outer  darkness  ^ 
when  I  think  of  these  things,  I  cannot  but  fear 
for  myself,  and  tremble  to  think  of  the  accounts 
I  have  to  give. 

Isaiah  Ixvi.  2.  To  this  man  will  I  look,  even 
to  him,  that  is  poor,  and  of  a  contrite  spirit,  and 
trembleth  at  my  word. 

Psa.  xxxiv.  1 8.  The  Lord  is  nigh  unto  them, 
that  are  of  a  contrite  heart ;  and  will  save  such, 
as  be  of  a  humble  spirit. 

Look  upon  me,  gracious  Lord,  with  an  eye 
of  mercy. 

Psa.  xxv,  2.  For  thy  name's  sake,  O  Lord, 
pardon  my  iniquities,  for  they  are  great. 

My  only  comfort  is,  they  are  not  too  great 
for  thy  mercy  ;  and  the  Lord  Jesus,  our  advo- 


92  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

cate,  has  assured  us  even  with  an  oath,  that  all 
sins  shallbe  forgiven  unto  the  sonsof  men.  That 
is,  if  with  hearty  repentance  and  true  faith  they 
turn  unto  God. 

O  most  powerful  Advocate,  I  put  my  cause 
into  thy  hands  ;  let  it  be  unto  thy  servant  ac- 
cording to  this  word  ;  let  thy  blood  and  mer- 
its plead  for  my  pardon  ;  say  unto  me,  as  Thou 
didst  unto  the  penitent  in  thy  gospel,  thy  sins 
are  forgiven  ;  and  grant  that  I  may  live  to  bring 
forth  fruits,  meet  for  repentance. 

Matth.  vi.  14.  If  ye  forgive  men  their  tres- 
passes, your  heavenly  Father  will  also  forgive 
your  trespasses. 

Even  the  power  to  perform  this  most  kind 
condition  must  be  from  thy  grace,  O  Jesus ;  and 
I  trust  Thou  wilt  grant  me  this  grace,  because 
the  very  will  to  ask  it  is  from  Thee,  and  from 
thy  will,  which  wills  nothing  in  vain. 

Perfect  therefore,  O  my  Saviour,  the  work, 
which  thou  hast  -begun  in  me  ;  and  let  me  feel 
the  effects  of  thy  grace  in  the  constancy  of  my 
devotions,  in  care  of  my  soul,  in  a  faithful  dis- 
charge of  my  duty,  and  in  all  those  acts  of 
righteousness,  piety,  and  charity,  by  which  I 
shall  be  judged  at  the  last  day. 

John  v.  14.  Sin  no  more,  lest  a  worse  thing 
come  unto  thee. 

Make  me,  O  Lord,  ever  itiindful  of  my  in- 
firmities and  backslidings,  that  I  may  be  more 
watchful,  and  more  importunate  for  grace  in 
time  to  come. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  93 

Matth.  v.  7.  Blessed  are  the  merciful,  for 
they  shall  obtain  mercy. 

Give  me,  O  Lord,  true  compassion  for  the 
wants  and  miseries  of  others,  that  Thou  mayest 
have  compassion  upon  me. 

Luke  xv.  10.  There  is  joy  in  the  presence  of 
God  over  one  sinner,  that  repenteth. 

Lord,  increase  the  number  of  penitents,  and 
the  joys  of  Heaven,  by  delivering  me  and  all 
sinners  from  the  power  of  the  devil,  and  by 
vouchsafing  us  the  grace  of  true  conversion. 

Matth.  v.  4.  Blessed  are  they,  that  mourn, 
for  they  shall  be  comforted. 

O  Lord,  grant  that  I  may  seek  comfort,  not 
in  the  things  of  this  world,  but  by  sincere  re- 
pentance for  my  sins,  by  which  God  is  dishon- 
ored, and  his  judgments  hang  over  my  head. 

Luke  xix.  10.  The  Son  of  man  is  come  to 
seek  and  to  save  that,  which  was  lost. 

O  comfortable  words  ^for  lost  sinners  ;  God 
himself  seeks  to  save  them.  O  Thou,  who 
sought  me,  when  I  was  astray,  save  me  for  thy 
mercy's  sake  ;  and  preserve  that,  which  Thou 
hast  sought  and  found. 

Matth.  ix.  28.  Come  unto  me,  all  ye,  that 
labor  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you 
rest. 

O  Jesus,  conduct  me  to  thyself,  or  I  shall 
surely  miss  the  way. 

Phil.  ii.  12.  Work  out  your  own  salvation 
with  fear  and  trembling  j  for  it  is  God,  that 


94  •  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

worketh  in  you  both  to  will  and  to  do  of  his 
good  pleasure. 

It  was  nor  in  myself,  O  God,  to  begin  the 
work  of  my  conversion  ;  finish.,  I  beseech  Thee, 
what  Thou  hast  begun  in  me.  May  I  close 
with  thy  grace,  and  persevere  unto  my  life's 
end. 

Micah  vii.  18.  God  retaineth  not  his  anger 
forever,  because  he  delighteth  in  mercy. 

Ezra  ix.  15.  O  Lord  God,  behold,  we  are 
before  thee  in  our  trespasses  ;  we  cannot  stand 
before  thee  for  this. 

Numb.  xiv.  19.  Pardon,  I  beseech  Thee,  the 
iniquity  of  thy  servant,  according  to  the  great- 
ness of  thy  merey. 

0  say  unto  me,  as  thou  didst  unto  Moses,  / 
have  pardoned  thee. 

Ezek.  xviii.  22.  All  his  iniquites,  that  he 
hath  committed,  they  shall  not  be  mentioned  unto 
him. 

Lord,  be  merciful  unto  us,  for  we  have  sin- 
ned in  the  midst  of  light,  and  even  against 
light  ;  in  contempt  of  the  grace,  we  have  re- 
ceived. 

1  John  5.  9.    If  v.e  confess  our  sins,  God  is 
faithful  aiid  just  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to 
cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteousness. 

These  ave  comfortable  words  to  one,  whom 
the  sight  of  his  sins  has  cast  into  a  dread  of  the 
judgments  of  God.  Both  that  dread,  and  the 
ha' red  of  sin,  and  the  dependance  upon  the 
promise  of  God,  and  the  love,  which  that  pro- 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  95 

duces  hi  the  soul,  are  owing  entirely  to  the 
blood  of  Jesus  Christ. 

2  Sam.  ix.  8.  What  is  thy  servant,  that  thou 
shouldst  look  upon  such  a  dead  dog,  as  I  am. 

My  only  support  is,  that  my  sins  have  not 
put  me  out  of  the  reach  of  that  mercy,  which 
is  infinite. 

Who  can  understand  his  errors  ?  O  cleanse 
Thou  me  from  my  secret  faults.  O  Lord,  be 
favorable  unto  me  ;  pardon  and  deliver  me  from 
all  my  sins. 

Grant  that  my  sins  may  never  rise  up  in  judg- 
ment against  me,  nor  bring  shame  and  confusion 
of  face  upon  me. 

My  soul  truly  waiteth  still  upon  God,  for 
of  him  cometh  my  salvation, 

yohn  vi.  20.     It  is  I,  be  not  afraid. 

Lord  Jesus,  in  all  the  troubles^  that  may  be- 
fal  me,  speak  these  comfortable  words  to  my 
soul,  //  is  7,  be  not  -afraid  ;  and  then  I  shall  be 
secure  both  from  presumption  and  despair. 

John  viii.  24.  If  ye  believe  not  that  I  am  he, 
(that  is,  the  Messiah,  the  Son  of  God)  ye  shall 
die  in  your  sins. 

O  Jesus,  the  only  refuge  of  sinners,  does  the 
world  know,  what  it  is  to  die  in  sin  ?  I  believe  ; 
Lord,  increase  my  faith,  and  deliver  us  all  from 
the  dreadful  state  of  final  impenitency. 

31.  If  ye  continue  in  my  word,  then  are  ye 
my  disciples  indeed. 

51.  If  a  man  keep  my  saying,  he  shall  nev- 
er see  death* 


96  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

0  Jesus,  Thou  hast  made  known  to  us  an- 
other death,  beside  that,  which  separates  the 
soul  from   the  body.      O  may   thy  grace  and 
mercy  secure  us  from  the  bitter  pains  of  eternal 
death  ! 

Luke  vii.  7.  Say  the  word,  and  my  servant 
shall  be  healed. 

1  acknowledge,  O  Jesus,  the  almighty  power 
of  thy  grace,  to   heal  all  the  disorders  of  my 
soul ;   O  deal  with  me  according  to  the  multi- 
tude of  thy  mercies,  and  heal  my  soul  of  its  sad 
disorders, 

John  iii.  24.  God  is  a  spirit ;  and  they,  that 
worship  him,  mu-t  worship  him  in  spirit  and  in 
truth. 

Give  me,  O  Jesus,  an  inward  disposition  to 
holiness,  a  humble  and  contrite  heart,  depen- 
dance  on  the  will  of  God,  acknowledgment  of 
his  goodness,  and  zeal  for  his  glory  ;  to  which 
all  the  ordinances  of  his  law  and  gospel  should 
lead  us. 

Good  me  of  Time. 

Grant,  O  Lord,  that,  as  I  have  but  a  short 
time  to  live,  and  an  eternal  interest  depending, 
I  may  not  squander  away  one  moment  in  vani- 
ty, or  in  that,  which  will  not  profit  me  in  the 
day  of  adversity. 

Rom.  xi.  1 6.  Blindness  in  part  is  happened  to 
Israel,  until  the  fulness  of  the  Gentiles  be  come 
in  j  so  all  Israel  shall  be  saved. 

O  God,  the  God  of  Abraham,  look  upon 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  97 

thy  everlasting  covenant ;  cause  the  captivity  of 
Judah  anli  of  Israel  to  return.  They  were  thy 
people  ;  O  be  Thou  their  Saviour,  that  all, 
who  love  Jerusalem,  and  mourn  for  her,  may  re- 
joice with  her,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  their 
Saviour  and  ours. 

May  I,  O  Jesus,  love  the  truths  of  thy  word ; 
make  the  gospel  my  delight  ;    and  continue  in 
the  practice  of  them  to  my  life's  end  ! 
In  time  of  public  distraction. 

O  Sovereign  Lord,  I  prostrate  myself  before 
Thee,  confessing  my  own  sin,  and  acknowledg- 
ing the  justice  of  any  scourge,  which  Thou 
shalt  bring  upon  us  ;  and  trembling,  to  think 
how  much  I  may  have  contributed  toward  it  ; 
beseeching  Thee  to  have  compassion  on  us  in 
these  days  of  confusion. 

O  Lord,  prevent  the  judgments,  that  threat- 
en us  ;  purge  this  nation  from  all  such  crimes, 
as  may  be  the  cause  of  thy  heavy  displeasure 
against  us  ;  from  whoredom  and  drunkenness  ; 
from  swear  ing,  lying,  and  perjury  ;  from  sacri- 
lege,  injustice,  fraud,  disobedience,  malice,  and 
uncharitableness.  Take  from  among  us  the 
spirit  of  atheism,  irreligion,  and  prcfaneness  ; 
and  in  mercy  rebuke  and  convert  all  such,  as 
give  encouragement  or  countenance  nto  any  of 
these  vices,  which  may  provoke  Thee  to  give 
us  up  to  infidelity  or  destruction.  O  let  thy 
anger  be  turned  away  from  us  ;  give  us  not 
over  unto  the  will  of  our  adversaries,  and 
I 


98  SACRA  PRIVATA, 

unto  such,  as  strive  to  bring  all  things  into  con- 
fusion. Preserve  thy  Church  in  the  midst  of 
all  dangers,  and  restore  unto  us  peace  and  unity  ; 
and  grant  us  grace,  to  make  a  better  use  of 
these  blessings  in  time  to  come,  for  Jesus  Christ's 
sake.  Amen. 

We  complain  of  oppression  ;  of  our  laws  be- 
ing perverted  and  trampled  upon  ;  of  arbitrary 
government,  &c.  Let  us  not  be  wiser,  than 
God,  who  judges  these  things  to  be  necessary, 
to  exercise  the  good,  to  punish  the  wicked,  to 
reclaim  the  sinner,  to  recover  those,  that  are 
going  astray,  and  to  make  all  serious.  Let  us 
not  impeach  the  ways  of  God,  who  brings 
good  out  of  evil  ;  but  reverence  and  submit  to 
his  will,  wisdom,  and  justice* 

Isaiah  Ixii.  6.  Ye,  that  are  the  Lord's  re* 
membrances,  keep  not  silence ;  give  him  no  rest, 
till  he  establish  and  till  he  make  Jerusalem  (his 
Church)  a  praise  on  the  earth. 

Thy  kingdom  come.  Though  we  are  altogeth- 
er unworthy  of  the  good  times,  Thou  hast  prom- 
ised thy  Church,  yet,  we  beseech  Thee,  deprive 
Us  not  pf  them. 

O  Lord,  hear  ;  O  Lord,  forgive  ;  O  Lord, 
hearken  ;  and  do  not  defer  these  good  days,  for 
thy  own  sake,  O  our  God. 

We  hope  the  day  is  coming,  when  all  the 
world  will  come,  and  worship  Thee,  O  God* 
See  Jer.  xxxi. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  99 

Christ's  Patience. 

What  sorrows  did  he  undergo,  and  with  what 
patience  did  he  suffer  them  !  Patient,  when  Ju- 
das betray  him  with  a  kiss  ;  patient,  when  Cai- 
aphas  despitefully  used  him  ;  patient,  when 
hurried  from  one  place  to  another  ;  patient, 
when  Herod  with  his  men  of  war  set  him  at 
nought  ;  patient,  when  Pilate  so  unrighteously 
condemned  him  ;  patient,  when  scourged,  and 
crowned  with  thorns  ;  patient,  when  his  cross 
was  laid  upon  him,  when  he  was  reviled,  re* 
proached,  scoffed  at,  and  every  way  abused. 
Lord  Jesus,  grant  me  patience,  after  this* exam- 
ple, to  bear  thy  holy  will  in  all  things. 

Chris  fs  love  and  charity. 

Where  shall  we  take  our  pattern,  but  from 
Thee  ?  Thou  callest  thy  followers  thy  friends. 
Thou  didst  stoop  down  to  wash  their  feet,  who 
were  not  worthy  to  untie  thy  shoe.  Thou 
didst  forgive  and  restore  Peter,  when  he  had  ab- 
jured Thee.  Thou  didst  vouchsafe  to  satisfy 
Thomas,  who  would  not  believe,  but  upon  his 
own  terms.  Thou  didst  forgive  and  pray  for 
thy  bloody  persecutors.  O  thou  Fountain  and 
Pattern  of  love,  grant  that  I  may  love  Thee, 
above  all  things,  and  my  neighbour,  as  myself* 


ico  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

SATURDAY   MEDITATIONS. 

PREPARATION  for  DEATH. 

Deut.  xxxii.  29.  0  thai  they  'were  wise,  that 
they  would  consider  their  latter  end. 

John  ix.  4.  The  night  cometh,  when  no  man 
can  work. 

A  Very  gracious   intimation.     Lord,  grant 
that  I   may   never  forget   it ;    and  that 
now,  now  is  the  time,  in  which  to  provide  for 
eternity. 

What  a  xvis'e  man,  \vhen  he  comes  to  die, 
would  wish  he  had  done,  that  he  ought  to  do 
forthwith  ;  for  death  is  at  hand,  and  the  con- 
sequences of  a  surprise  most  dreadful.  He  will 
then  wish,  if  he  have  not  done  it,  with  all  his 
soul, 

First,  that  he  had  made  a  just  and  Christian 
settlement  of  his  worldly  concerns  ;  so  as  not 
to  be  distracted  with  the  cares  of  this  world, 
when  all  his  thoughts  should  be  upon  another. 

Secondly,  that  he  had  made  his  peace  with 
God  by  timely  repentance. 

Thirdly,  that  he  had  faithfully  discharged  the 
duties  of  his  calling. 

-  Fourthly,  that  he  had  weaned  his  affections 
from  things  temporal,  and  loosened  the  ties^ 
which  fasten  us  to  the  world. 

Fifthly,  that  he  had  crucified  the  flesh  with 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  101 

its  affections  and  lusts  ;  so  that,  being  weary  of 
this  life,  he  might  be  more  desirous  of  a  better. 

Sixthly^  that  by  acts  of  justice,  mercy,  chari- 
ty, and  alms,  he  may  be  entitled  to  the  mercy 
of  God  at  the  hour  of  death. 

Seventhly,  that  he  had  gotten  such  habits  of 
patience  and  resignation  to  the  will  of  God  du- 
ring his  health,  as  might  render  death,  with  all 
the  train  of  miseries  leading  to  it,  less  frightful 
and  amazing. 

Eighthly ,  that  by  constant  practice  of  devotion 
prepartory  for  death,  he  had  learned  what  to 
pray  for,  what  to  hope  for,  and  what  to  de- 
pend on  in  his  last  sickness. 

This,  gracious  Lord,  is  what  I  wish  for, 
what  I  pray  for,  and  what  I  purpose  shall  be 
the  constant  practice  of  my  life.  Amen. 

2  Kings  xx.  i.  Set  thine  house  in  order,  for 
thou  shalt  die,  and  not  live. 

May  God,  who  has  every  way  provided  for 
me,  and  put  it  into  my  power  to  be  just  to  all 
men,  charitable  to  the  poor,  grateful  to  my 
friends,  kind  to  my  servants,  and  a  benefactor 
to  the  public  ;  may  He  add  this  to  all  his  fa- 
vors, and  grant  that  in  making  my  last  will  I 
may  faithfully  discharge  all  these  engagements  ; 
and  that  for  want  of  this  no  curse  may  cleave  to 
myself,  nor  to  any  thing,  I  shall  leave  behind 
me.  Amen. 

But  above  all  things  I  beg  of  Thee,  O  God., 
to  enable  me  to  set  my  inward  house,  my  soul? 
in  order,  before  I  die. 


102  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

Give  me  true  repentance  for  all  the  errors  of 
my  life  past,  and  stedfast  faith  in  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ ;  that  my  sins  may  be  done  away  by  thy 
mercy,  and  my  pardon  sealed  in  Heaven. 

Prov.  xxviii.  13.  Whoso  confesseth,  and 
forsaketh  his  sin,  shall  have  mercy. 

Behold,  O  God,  a  creature,  liable  every  mo- 
ment to  death,  prostrate  before  Thee,  begging, 
for  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  that  faith  and  repent- 
ance, to  which  Thou  hast  promised  mercy  and 
pardon. 

Discover  to  me,  O  Thou  Searcher  of  hearts, 
the  charge,  that  is  against  me  ;  that  I  may  know, 
and  confess i  and  beybail^  and  abhor -,  and  forsake^ 
and  repent  of,  all  the  evils,  of  which  I  have  been 
guilty. 

Have  mercy  upon  mea  most  merciful  Father, 
who  desirest  not  the  death  of  a  sinner  ;  for  thy 
Son  Jesus  Christ's  sake  forgive  me  all,  that  is 
past. 

O  Blessed  Advocate,  who  art  able  to  save 
them  forever,  who  come  unto  God  by  Thee, 
seeing  Thou  ever  livest  to  make  intercession  for 
us,  I  put  my  cause  into  thy  hands  ;  let  thy  pow- 
er defend  me ;  thy  blood  and  merits  plead  for 
jne  ;  supply  all  the  defects  of  my  repent  nee; 
procure  for  me  a  full  discharge  of  all  my  sins  be- 
ibre  I  die ;  and  by  thy  mighty  grace  confirm 
and  strengthen  me  in  all  goodness  during  the 
remainder  of  my  life,  that  my  death  may  be  a 
blessing  to  me,  and  that  I  may  find  mercy  at 
,-the  great  day.  Amen\ 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  103 

Ephes.  iv.  24.  Put  on  the  new  man,  which 
after  God  is  created  in  righteousness  and  true 
holiness. 

This,  O  God,  is  what  I  desire  and  purpose, 
by  thy  grace,  to  do ;  and  do  again  renew  the 
vows,  which  I  have  so  often  made  and  so  often 
broken. 

I  renounce  the  devil  and  all  his  works ;  the 
vain  pomp  and  glory  of  the  world  with  all  cov- 
etous desires  of  the  same,  and  the  carnal  desires 
of  the  flesh,  resolving,  by  thy  grace,  neither  to 
follow,  nor  to  be  led  by  them. 

O  God,  assist  me,  that  neither  sloth  nor 
corruption  may  ever  make  me  lay  aside  or  for- 
get these  resolutions  ;  but  that  I  may  live  to 
Thee  ;  be  an  instrument  of  thy  glory  by  serv- 
ing Thee  faithfully  ;  and  that  I  may  be  found 
so  doing,  when  thou  art  pleased  to  call  me  hence, 
for  Jesus  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 

Col.  iii.  2.  Set  your  affections  on  things 
above,  not  on  things  on  the  earth. 

May  Almighty  God,  who  alone  can  do  it, 
effectually  convince  me  of  the  vanity  of  all, 
that  is  desirable  in  this  present  life,  that  I  may 
not,  like  an  unbeliever,  look  for  happiness 
here. 

Give  me,  O  Lord,  perfect  indifference  to  the 
world,  its  profits,  pleasures,  honors,  fame,  and  all 
its  idols. 

Represent  Thyself  unto  me,  as  my  true  hap- 
pinefs,  that  I  may  love  Thee  with  all  my  heart, 
and  soul,  and  strength  ;  so  *  that,  when  called 


104  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

out  of  this  world,  I  may  rejoice  in  hope  of  go- 
ing to  the  Paradise  of  God,  where  the  souls  of 
the  faithful  enjoy  rest  and  felicity,  in  hope  of 
a  blessed  resurrection,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Saviour.  Amen.  ' 

Luke  ix.  23.  If  any  man  will  come  after  me, 
let  him  deny  himself,  and  take  up  his  cross 
daily,  and  follow  me. 

Blessed  Jesus,  who  pleasest  not  thyself,  but 
tookest  upon  Thee  the  form  of  a  servant,  give 
me  resolution  to  deny  my  inclinations  for  the 
good  things  of  this  world,  even  while  I  may 
command  them  ;  to  subdue  my  corrupt  affec- 
tions, and  to  take  revenge  upon  myself,  for  my 
intemperance,  by  mortification  ;  for  mispending 
my  time,  by  retirement ;  for  the  errors  of  niy 
tongue,  by  silence  ;  and  for  all  the  sins  of  my 
life,  by  deep  humiliation,  patiently  submitting 
to  all  the  troubles,  with  which  Thou  fhalt 
think  fit  to  exercise  or  puniili  me  ;  so  that,  be- 
ing effectually  weaned  from  this  world,  and 
weary  of  its  corruptions,  I  may  long  to  repose 
myself  in  the  grave,  in  hope  of  a  better  life, 
through  thy  mercy  and  merits,  O  Lord  Jesus 
Christ*  Amen. 

i  Pet.  iv.  8.      Charity   covereth    the  multi- 
tude of  sins. 

Possess  my  soul,  O  God,  with  sincere 
love  for  Thee,  aod  for  all  mankind. 

Let  no  malice  nor  ill  will  abide  in  me. 
Give  me  grace  to  forgive  all*  who  ha#e  offend- 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  105 

ed  me  ;  and  forgive  my   many    offences  against 
Thee,  and  against  my  neighbour. 

Make  me  ever  ready  to  give,  and  glad  to  dis- 
tribute, that  thy  gifts,  passing  through  my 
hands,  may  procure  for  me  the  prayers  of  the 
poor  ;  and  that  I  may  lay  up  in  store  for  my- 
self a  good  foundation  against  the  time  to  come, 
that  1  may  attain  eternal  life,  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

Thy  will  be  done. 

Fortify  my  soul,  blessed  Jesus,  with  the  same 
spirit  of  submission,  with  which  Thou  under- 
\ventest  the  death  of  the  cross,  that  I  may  re- 
ceive all  events  with  resignation  to  the  will  of 
God;  that  I  may  receive  troubles,  afflictions, 
disappointments,  sickness,  and  death  itself, 
without  amazement  ;  these  being  the  appoint- 
ment of  thy  justice  for  the  punishment  of  sin, 
and  of  thy  mercy  for  the  salvation  of  sinners. 

Let  this  be  the  constant  practice  of  my  life, 
to  be  pleased  with  all  thy  choices,  that,  when 
sickness  and  death  approach,  I  may  be  prepared 
to  submit  my  will  to  the  will  of  my  Maker. 

O  that  in  the  mean  time  my  heart  may  al- 
ways go  along  with  my  lips  in  this  petition, 
THY  WILL  BE  DONE.  Amen. 

Heb.  ix.  27.  It  is  appointed  unto  men  once 
to  die  ;  but  after  this  the  judgment. 

May  the  thoughts  of  death,  and  of  what 
must  follow,  by  the  grace  of  God,  mortify  in 
me  all  carnal  security,  and  fondness  for  this 


io6  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

world,  and  all,  that  is  in  it,  the  lust  of  the  flesh, 
the  lust  of  the  eye,  and  the  pride  of  life  !  O 
that  I  may  make  my  calling  and  ele&ion  sure, 
that  I  may  die  in  peace,  and  in  hope  of  a  bles- 
sed resurrection,  and  of  a  favorable  judgment  at 
the  great  day ! 

May  the  consideration  of  a  judgment  to 
come  oblige  me  to  ermine,  to  try,  and  to 
judge  myself,  that  I  may  prevent  a  severe  judg- 
ment of  God  by  true  repentance,  and  lead  a  life, 
answerable  to  repentance,  and  that  I  may  find 
mercy  at  the  great  day. 

John  v.  28.  All,  that  are  in  the  graves, 
shall  hear  his  voice,  and  come  forth  ;  theyt  that 
have  done  good,  unto  the  resurrection  of  life  ; 
and  they,  that  have  done  evil,  unto  the  resur- 
rection of  damnation. 

May  this  dreadful  word  oblige  me  to  work 
out  my  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling,  that 
through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ  I  may  escape 
that  dreadful  doom  !  and  may  the  hope  of 
Heaven  and  happiness  sweeten  all  the  troubles 
of  this  mortal  life  ! 

0  Lord  Jesus,  who   hast  redeemed   us  with 
thy  precious  blood,  make  me  to   be   numbered 
with  thy  saints  in  glory  everlasting.       O  let  my 
name  be  found  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life  at  the 
great  day. 

1  thank  Thee,   O  Lord,    for  all  the  favors  of 
my  life,  and  especially   that  Thou   hast   vouch- 
safed me  time  and   will  to  .think  of  w\&  prepare 
for  death,  while  in  my   full  strength  ;    while   i 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  10; 

may  redeem  my  mispent  time,  and  bring  forth 
fruits,  meet  for  repentance. 

Let  us  consider  death  ^  as  a  punishment,  to 
which,  as  sinners,  we  are  justly  condemned. 

My  God,  I  humbly  submit  to  it,  and  to  thy 
justice  ;  and  trust  in  thy  mercy,  and  goodness,  and 
promises,  both  now,  and  at  the  hour  of  death. 

Death  is  inevitable  ;  the  time  uncertain  ;  the 

judgment,  which   follows,  without  appeal  ;  and 

followed  by  an  eternity  of  happiness  or  misery. 

Lord,  grant  that  I  may  consider  this,  as  I  ought 

to  do. 

Let  me  remember  that  I  shall  come  forth  out 
of  the  grave,  just  as  I  go  in  ;  either  the  object 
of  God's  mercy,  or  of  his  wra+h  to  all  eternity. 

He  lives  to  no  purpose,  who  is  not  glorifying 
God. 

Our  greatest  hope  fhould  lie  beyond  the 
grave. 

No  man  can  go  to  Heaven,  when  he  dies, 
who  has  not  sent  his  heart  thither,  while  he 
lives. 

Our  greatest  security  is  derived  from  duty5 
and  our  only  confidence  from  the  mercy  of  God 
through  Jesus  Christ. 

Sicknefs,  if  you  consider  it,  as  painful  to  na- 
ture, and  not  as  a  favor  from  God,  will  be  a 
torment  to  you.  To  make  it  really  comforta- 
ble, believe  it  to  be  ordered  by  a  loving  Fa- 
ther, a  wise  Physician  ;  that  it  is  the  effect  of 
his  mercy  for  our  salvation  }  that,  being  fas* 


io8  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

tened  to  the  crofs,  you  become  dearer  to  God, 
as  being  most  like  his  own  Son.  God  will 
loose  you,  when  it  is  best  for  you. 

We  often  hinder  our  recovery  by  trusting  to 
physic  more,  than  to  God.  Means  succeed  just 
as  far,  as  God  pleases.  If  he  send  diseases,  as 
a  remedy  to  cure  the  disorders  of  the  soul,  he 
only  can  cure  them  ;  while  you  are  chastened, 
you  are  sure  God  loves  you  ;  you  are  not  sure 
of  that,  when  you  are  without  chastisement. 

Timely  preparation  for  death  frees  us  from 
the  fear  of  death,  and  from  all  other  fears.  A 
true  Christian  is  neither  fond  of  life,  nor  weary 
of  it. 

The  sting  of  death  is  sin  ;  therefore  a  holy 
life  is  the  only  cure  for  the  fear  of  death.  We 
ought  to  fear  sin  more  than  death,  because 
death  cannot  hurt  us  but  by  sin. 

Phil.  i.  21.     To  me  to  die  is  gain. 

O  that  I  may  be  able  to  say  this,  when  I 
come  to  die  ;  and  so  I  shall,  if  I  live,  as  be- 
comes a  Christian. 

Holiness  being  a  necessary  qualification  for 
happiness^  it  follows,  that  the  holiest  man  will 
be  the  happiest,  (for  there  are  certainly  de- 
grees of  glory)  therefore  a  Christian  should 
lose  no  time  in  gaining  all  the  degrees  of  vir- 
tue and  holiness,  he  possibly  can  ;  and  he,  that 
does  not  do  so,  is  in  a  fair  way  of  not  being 
happy  at  all.  t 

It  concerns  us  more,   than  our  life  is  worth, 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  109 

to  know,  what  will  become  of  us,  when  we 
die. 

Who  will  pretend  to  say,  that  he  is  not  in  a 
very  few  days  to  die  ? 

The  only  happiness  of  this  life,  is  to  be  se- 
cure of  a  blessed  eternity. 

Now  is  the  time,  m  which  we  are  to  choose, 
where  and  what  we  are  to  be  to  all  eternity  ; 
there  is  therefore  no  time  to  be  lost  in  making 
this  choice. 

No  kind  of  death  is  to  be  feared  by  him, 
who  lives  well. 

If  we  consider  death,  as  the  night  of  that 
day,  which  is  given  us  to  work  in,  in  which  to 
work  out  our  salvation  ;  and  that,  when  the 
night  is  come,  no  man  can  work  ;  how  fright- 
ful must  death  be  to  such,  as  are  not  prepared 
for  it  !  If  we  consider  it,  as  the  beginning  of 
eternity,  it  is  still  more  dreadful.  It  is  for  this 
reason  called  the  King  of  Terrors  ;  and  the 
Psalmist,  when  he  would  express  the  worst  of 
evils,  saith,  The  terrors  of  death  are  fallen  upon 
me. 

yudges  xiii.  23.  If  the  Lord  were  pleased 
to  kill  us,  he  would  not  have  received  a  burnt 
offering  at  our  hands,  neither  would  he  have 
showed  us  all  these  things. 

This  is  the  comfort  of  all  God's  servants  ; 
if  he  give  them  opportunities  of  renewing  their 
vows,  and  a  will  to  do  them  ;  if  he  accept  their 
alms  and  their  good  deeds,  that  is,  give  them  a 
heart  to  do  such  j  if  he  touch  their  hearts  with 

K 


no  SACRA  PRIV ATA. 

a  sense  of  their  unworthiriess  ;  if  he  chastise 
them  with  afflictions  ;  if  he  visit  them  with  his 
Holy  Spirit,  &c.  All  these  are  reasons  for  a 
Christian  to  hope  that  these  graces  are  not  in 
vain,  but.  that  God  will  crown  them  with  par- 
don, favor,  and  happiness  eternal. 

Matth.  xxv.  6.     And  at  midnight  there  \vas 
,a  cry  made,  behold,  the  bridegroom  cometh,  go 
ye  out  to  meet  him. 

A  terrible  voice  to  all  such,  as  shall  meet  him, 
not  as  a  bridegroom,  but  as  an  inexorable  judge. 
Grant,  O  Lord,  that  I  may  not  be  of  the  num- 
ber of  those,  who  dread  thy  coming,  who  can- 
not but  with  regret  submit  to  the  necessity  of 
dying,  and  have  neglected  to  prepare  for  death, 
till  the  last  hour. 

Matth.  xxv.   10.     And  the  door  was  shut. 

Death  shuts  the  door.  No  more  to  be  done. 
It  is  then  too  late  to  repent,  to  resolve,  to  pro- 
mise, and  to  do  any  thing. 

— 13.  Watch  therefore,  for  ye  know  neither 
the  day,  nor  the  hour,  wherein  the  Son  of  Man 
cometh. 

A  person,  whose  life  is  full  of  good  works, 
whose  heart  is  devoted  to  God,  whose  faith  and 
hope  are  pure  and  sincere,  will  never  be  surpris- 
ed by  death. 

Matth.  xxvii.  50.  Jesus  Christ  yielded  up 
the  ghost.  So  his  death  was  a  voluntary  sacri- 
fice. Let  mine  be  so,  O  blessed  Jesus !  Let  thy 
death  sanctify  me  j  and  let  my  spirit  be  receiv- 
ed with  thine  ! 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  in 

Rom.  v.  i .  Being  justified  by  faith,  we  have 
peace  with  God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Give  me,  O  Lord,  that  desire  and  earnest 
longing,  which  I  ought  to  have  for  that  happy 
moment,  which  is  to  release  me  from  this  state 
of  banishment,  and  translate  me  to  a  better 
place  ;  and  grant  that  I  may  never  lose  sight  of 
that  important  moment. 

Let  me,  O  God,  have  my  lot  and  portion 
with  thy  saints. 

When  we  come  to  die,  the  great  enemy  of 
our  souls  will  then  attack  us  with  all  his  strat- 
agems. It  is  good  therefore  to  be  prepared. 
If  he  attack  your  faith,  say  with  St.  Paul,  / 
know,  whom  I  have  believed  ;  and  I  am  persuad- 
ed ^  that  he  is  able  to  keep  that,  which  I  have  com- 
mitted unto  him,  against  that  day. 

I  believe  in  God  the  Father,  who  made  me 
and  all  the  world.  I  believe  in  God  the  Son, 
who  redeemed  me  and  all  mankind.  I  believe 
in  God  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  sanctified  me  and 
all  the  elect  people  of  God. 

I  give  Thee  hearty  thanks,  O  Heavenly  Fa- 
ther, that  Thou  hast  vouchsafed  to  call  me  to 
the  knowledge  of  thy  grace  and  faith  in  Thee. 
Confirm  this  faith  in  me  evermore  ;  grant  that 
I  may  die  in  this  faith,  and  in  the  peace  and 
communion  of  the  Holy  Church ;  and  that  I 
may  be  united  to  Jesus,  the  head  of  this  church, 
and  to  all  his  members,  by  love,  that  shall  nev- 
er end.  Amen. 


ji2  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

John  \i\.  15.  Whosoever  believeth  in  Jesus 
Christ  shall  not  perish,  but  have  eternal  life. 

I  believe  ;  Lord,  increase  my  faith  ;  and  let 
it  be  unto  thy  servant  according  to  this  word. 

Luke  xxiii.  A.T..     This  day  shalt  thou  be  with 

*  *j  j 

me  in  paradise. 

O  Blessed  Jesus,  support  my  spirit,  when  I 
tome  to  die,  with  this  comfortable  promise, 
this  day  shalt  thou  be  in  paradise. 

We  indeed  suffer  justly  the  sentence  of  death. 
O  Thou,  who  didst  nothing  amiss,  and  yet 
didst  suffer  for  me,  remember  me,  O  Lord,  now 
that  thou  art  in  thy  kingdom. 

What  terror,  what  affliction,  can  equal  that 
of  a  Christian,  who  has  never  thought  of  wean- 
ing his  heart  from  the  world,  before  he  comes 
to  die  ;  who  can  find  nothing  in  his  life,  but 
what  must  render  him  unworthy  of  mercy  ! 
But  the  greatest  of  all  miseries  would  be  to  des- 
pair of  mercy,  and  not  to  have  recourse  to  it. 

Need  a  person,  who  has  received  the  sen- 
tence of  death,  be  perfuaded  to  prepare  for 
death  ?  And  is  not  this  our  case  ? 

Consider  death,  as  appointed  by  God,  as  a 
necessary  penance  ;  as  a  passage  to  a  better  life  ; 
as  the  deliverance  of  a  prisoner  ;  as  the  recall- 
ing of  an  exile  from  banishment  ;  as  the  end  of 
all  miseries  ;  and  then  you*  will  strip  it  of  much 
of  that  terror,  which  it  has,  when  considered,  as 
an  accident  of  nature  only. 

Lukexn.  36.  And  ye  yourselves  like  unto 
men,  that  wait  for  their  Lord. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  113 

He,  who  waits  for  his  master,  will  always 
endeavour  to  be  in  that  state,  in  which  he  de- 
sires to  be  found.  A  Christian  should  not  look 
upon  death  with  anxiety,  but  with  the  satisfac- 
tion of  a  good  servant,  who  waits  with  impa- 
tience for  his  master's  return  in  hope  of  being 
approved. 

Luke  xii.  40.  Be  ye  also  ready,  for  the  Son 
of  man  cometh  at  an  hour,  when  ye  think  not. 

Are  not  so  many  sudden  deaths  sufficient  to 
convince  us  of  the  folly  of  assuring  ourselves  of 
one  day  ?  Let  every  one  of  us  therefore  count 
himself  of  the  number  of  those,  that  are  to  be 
surprised  by  death  ;  this  will  make  us  watch- 
ful. 

Luke  xii.  42.  Blessed  is  that  servant,  whom 
his  Lord,  when  lie  cometh,  shall  find  so  doing. 

Miserable  will  he  be,  whom  death  surpriseth, 
either  doing  evil,  or  doing  nothing,  or  doing  that, 
which  God  does  not  require  of  him.  Can  one 
imagine^  that  the  generality  of  Christians  be- 
lieve this' truth  ?  Suffer  me  not,  O  God,  to  fall 
into  forget  fulness  of  it. 

We  complain,  saith  Seneca,  of  the  shortness 
of  life  ;  he  answers,  Vita  si  scias  uti>  longa  est  ; 
life  is  long,  if  you  know  how  to  use  it.  But 
Christianity  only  can  tqach  us,  how  to  use  our 
life  ;  namely  in  working  out  our  own  salvation  ; 
and  we  are  sure  it  is  long  enough  for  that,  be- 
cause God  has  appointed  it  for  that  very  end. 

As  Christianity  alone  can  take   from   us  the 
K  * 


u4  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

love  of  life  ;  so  it  is  this  alone,  that  can  free  us 
from  the  fear  of  death. 

Eternity  adds  an  infinite  weight  to  all  our 
actions  whether  good  or  bad. 

If  we  desire  that  our  death  sould  be  a  sac- 
rifice of  love  and  obedience  ;  we  must  take  care 
to  make  our  life  so  too. 

Acts  ix.  36.  This  woman  was  full  of  good 
works  and  alms  deeds  ;  and  she  died. 

Happy  that  soul,  which  death  finds  rich,  not 
in  gold,  furniture,  learning,  reputation,  or  bar- 
jren  purposes  and  desires  ;  but  in  good  works. 

Acts.  vii.  59.  And  they  stoned  Stephen, 
calling  upon  God,  and  saying,  Lord  Jesus,  re- 
ceive my  spirit. 

O  my  God,  enable  me  to  live  to  Thee  ;  that, 
when  the  hour  of  death  shall  come,  I  may  thus 
with  confidence  offer  up  my  spirit  to  Jesus 
Christ. 

Rev.  iii.  3.  Thou  shalt  not  know  what 
hour  I  will  come  upon  thee. 

Is  it  not  then  the  highest  presumption,  to 
persuade  ourselves,  that  we  have  always  time 
sufficient,  when  Jesus  Christ  himself  declares 
that  we  have  not  one  moment  certain  ? 

Death  being  the  effect  and  punishment  of  sin, 
we  ought  to  expect  it  with  great  submission. 

It  is  purely  for  want  of  faith,  that  we  trem- 
ble at  the  approach  of  our  deliverer  ;  which  is 
to  destroy  in  us  the  reign  of  sin,  and  to  instate 
as  in  that  of  glory. 

Let  us  resign  ourselves  to  God  as  to  the  man- 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  115 

ner,  in  which  it  shall  please  him  to  determine 
our  lives,  praying  only,  that  it  may  be  to  his 
glory  and  our  salvation. 

What  does  it  signify,  how  this  house  of  clay 
perisheth,  which  hinders  the  perfect  renovation 
of  the  soul,  and  the  sight  of  God  ? 

2  Cor.  v.  i .  For  we  know  that,  if  our  earth- 
ly house  of  this  tabernacle  were  dissolved,  we 
have  a  building  of  God,  a  house  not  made  with 
handy,  eternal  in  the  Heavens. 

We  know,  we  believe,  we  promise  ourselves 
this ;  but  we  think  too  seldom  of  it,  and  we 
still  make  less  use  of  what  we  know,  in  order  to 
wean  our  hearts  from  this  world. 

Would  we  look  upon  our  bodies,  as  houses  of 
clay,  just  ready  to  fall  ;  we  should  think  of  that 
eternal  house,  we  should  sigh  after  our  native 
country,  and  be  willing  to  leave  a  place  of  mis- 
ery and  banishment. 

Remember  that  death  is  the  punishment  of 
sin;  we  ought  therefore  to  resign  ourselves  to  it 
in  a  Christian  manner,  looking  upon  ourselves  as 
condemned  to  it;  in  Adam. 

He,  who  has  lived  and  looked  on  earth,  as  a 
place  of  banishment,  will  look  upon  death,  as  a 
gracious  deliverance  from  it. 

Consider  well,  that  life  is  given  and  continued 
for  no  other  end,  than  to  glorify  God  in  work- 
ing out  our  own  salvation. 

A  man  goes  with  confidence  to  meet  the 
bridegroom,  when  he  has  been  faithful  to  him, 
and  believes  him  to  be  his  friend. 


n6  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

Heb.  ii.  15.  And  deliver  them,  who  through 
fear  of  death  were  all  their  life  long  subject  to 
bondage. 

Bondage  is  the  sentence  of  rebellious  slaves  j 
we  were  condemned  to  it  in  Adam  ;  and,  being 
under  this  fen  tence  of  death  and  the  divine  justice, 
we  ought  to  expect  it  with  submission^  and  be  al- 
ways preparing  for  it.  This  is  the  only  way  to 
be  secure  from  fearing  death,  when  it  comes. 

Gather  us,  O  God,  to  the  number  of  thine  elect 
at  what  time  and  in  what  manner,  Thou  pleasest ; 
only  let  us  be  without  reproach,  and  blameless ; 
let  faith,  and  love,  and  peace,  accompany  our  last 
periods. 

We  look  upon  a  body  without  a  soul  with 
horror.  We  can  .see  a  body  with  a  soul,  which  is 
like  to  die  eternally,  without  concern. 

Wretched  man  that  I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me 
from  the  body  of  this  death  ?  I  thank  God,  lam 
delivered,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

Grant,  O  Lord,  that,  though  my  outward 
man  decay  daily,  yet  that  my  inward  oian  may 
increase  in  piety  and  virtue  unto  the  day  of  my 
death. 

He,  who  has  lived  best,  will  stand  in  need  of 
mercy  at  the  hour  of  death,  and  in  the  day  of 
judgment ;  and  he,  who  has  lived  worst,  has  not 
sinned  beyond  the  efficacy  of  the  blood  of  Christ, 
provided  his  repentance  be  sincere. 

My  God,  let  thy  glory  be  magnified  by  sav- 
ing a  sinner,  by  redeeming  a  captive  slave,  by 
enlightening  a  mind,  overwhelmed  in  darkness  > 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  117 

by  changing  a  wicked  heart,  by  pardoning  innu- 
merable transgressions,  iniquities,  and  sins. 

If  my  hope  were  placed  upon  any  thing,  but 
the  infinite  mercy  of  God  in  Jems  Christ,  which 
can  never  fail,  I  should  utterly  despair. 

Acts  ii.  21.  Whosoever  shall  cali  on  the  name 
of  the  Lord,  shall  be  saved.  . 

These,  my  God,  are  thy  own  words ;  give  me 
leave  to  trust  in  them,  to  depend  on  them,  both 
now,  and  at  the  hour  of  death. 

John  xvii.  4.  I  have  finished  the  work,  which 
thou  gavest  me  to  do. 

O  Lord,  the  very  best  of  men  come  infinitely 
short  of  this  pattern  ;  how  then  shall  I,  an  unprof- 
itable servant,  appear  before  my  Lord  and  Judge  ? 

Gen.  iii.  15.  The  seed  of  the  woman  shall 
bruise  the  serpent's  head. 

This,  my  God,  is  thy  sure,  thy  eternal  prom- 
ise ;  I  believe  it ;  I  trust  in  it  ;  I  will  hold  fast  by 
it. 

Luke  xxii.  42.  Nevertheless  not  my  will,  but 
thine  be  done. 

May  I,  O  blessed  Jesus,  when  my  death  shall 
approach,  breathe  out  my  last  with  these  words, 
and  with  the  same  spirit  of  submission  ? 

Death  of  friends. 

Let  us  cast  our  eyes  upon  sin,  which  is  the 
caufe  of  death  j  and  then  we  shall  weep  with 
reason. 


n8  SACRA  PRIV ATA. 

Preferve  in  us  a  lively  sense  of  the  world  to 
come  ;  and,  when  I  shall  not  be  able  to  pray 
for  myself,  the  good  Lord  favorably  hear  the 
prayers  of  his  Church  for  me. 

Grant  that  the  sins,  which  I  have  committed 
in  this  world,  may  not  be  imputed  unto  me  ; 
but  that,  escaping  the  gates  of  hell,  I  may 
dwell  in  the  regions  of  light  with  Abraham, 
Isaac,  and  Jacob,  until  the  day  of  the  general 
resurreftion,  and  that  I  then  may  hear  those 
joyful  words  of  thy  Son,  come,  ye  blessed 
children  of  my  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom, 
prepared  for  you  from  the  beginning  of  the 
world. 

Grant  that  I  may  have  a  perfect  conquest 
over  the  world,  sin,  and  death,  through  Chrift, 
who  by  his  death  hath  overcome  him,  who  hath 
the  power  of  death. 

Luke  xxiii.  43.  This  day  shalt  thou  be  with 
me  in  paradise. 

O  Jesus,  who  hadst  compassion  on  this  thief, 
even  at  the  hour  of  death,  have  mercy  upon  me, 
who  now  repent  of  all  my  misdoings.  Suffer 
not  the  gates  of  paradise  to  be  shut  against 
me,  when  I  die,  Thou,  who  hast  opened  the 
kingdom  of  Heav.en  to  all  believers. 

Restore  my  soul,  at  the  great  day,  to  life 
eternal. 

Give  me  the  patience  of  Job,  the  faith  of 
Abraham,  the  courage  of  Peter,  and  the 
comfort  of  Paul,  and  true  submission  to  thy 
will. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  119 

Apply  to  my  soul  the  wholesome  medicines  of 
thy  Son's  passion,  death,  and  resurrection, 
against  the  powers  ,of  Satan,  against  all  unrea- 
sonable fears  and  despair,  and  ease  my  fearful 
conscience. 

Hear  the  prayers  of  thy  Church  for  me, 
and  for  all  in  my 'condition,  for  Jesus  Christ's 
sake. 

Psa.  Ixxi.  9.  Cast  me  not  away  in  the  time 
of  age  ;  forsake  me  not  when  my  strength 
faileth  rne.  / 

Grant,  O  Lord,  that  the  end  of  my  life 
may  be  truly  Christian  ;  without  sin,  without 
shame  ;  and,  if  it  so  please  Thee,  without 
pain. 

Psa.  Ixxiii.  26.  My  flesh  and  my  heart  fail- 
eth ;•  but  God  is  the  strength  of  my  heart,  and 
my  portion  forever. 

i  Sam.  iii.  18.  It  is  the  Lord;  let  him  do, 
what  seemeth  him  good. 

Lord,  be  merciful  unto  me  j  heal  my  soul, 
for  I  have  sinned  against  Thee. 

I  confess  my  wickedness,  and  am  sorry  for 
my  sin.  For  thy  name's  sake,  O  Lord,  be 
merciful  unto  my  sin,  for  it  is  great. 

The  Lord  is  nigh  unto  them,  who  are  of  a 
contrite  heart  ;  and  will  save  such  as  are  of  a 
humble  spirir. 

Psa.  xxxix.  8.  And  now,  Lord,  what  is  my 
hope  ?  Truly  my  hope  is  in  Thee. 

Psa.  ciii.  14.  Lord,  thou  knowest  whereof 
we  are  made  ;  that  we  are  but  dust. 


120  SACRA  PRTVATA. 

Let  my  misery,  my  fear,  and  my  sorrow, 
move  Thee  to  compassion.  Despise  not,  O 
Lord,  the  work  of  thine  own  hands. 

I  freely  forgive  all,  who  have  offended  me. 

O  Thou,  who  never  failest  them,  that  seek 
Thee,  have  pity  on  me. 

Nevertheless,  though  I  am  sometimes  afraid, 
yet  put  I  my  trust  in  Thee.  O  Lord,  I  beseech 
Thee,  deliver  my  soul.  Gracious  is  the  Lord, 
and  righteous  ;  yea,  our  God  is  merciful. 

O  go  not  far  from  me,  for  trouble  is  at  hand, 
and  there  is  none  to  help  me.  The  sorrows  of 
my  heart  are  enlarged  ;  O  bring  Thou  me  out 
of  my  troubles  ! 

O  keep  my  soul,  and  deliver  me  ;  let  me  not 
be  confounded,  for  I  have  put  my  trust  in 
Thee.  Withdraw  not  thy  mercy  from  me, 
O  Lord ;  let  thy  loving  kindness  and  thy  truth 
always  preserve  me. 

O  Lord,  let  it  be  thy  pleasure  to  deliver  me  ; 
make  ha^te,  O  Lord,  to  help  me.  Show  thy 
servant  the  light  of  thy  countenance,  and  save 
me  for  thy  mercy's  sake. 

O  deliver  me,  for  I  am  helpless  and  poor,  and 
my  heart  is  wounded  within  me.  Wherefore 
hidest  Thou  thy  face,  and  forgettest  our  misery 
and  trouble  ? 

My  God,  save  thy  servant,  who  putteth  his 
trust  in  Thee.  .Thou,  O  Lord,  art  full  of  com- 
passion and  mercy,  long  suffering,  plenteous  in 
goodness  and  truth. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  121 

When  I  am  in  heaviness,  I  will  think  upon 
God  ;  when  my  heart  is  vexed,  I  will  complain. 

Will  the  Lord  absent  himself  forever  ?  Will 
he  be  no  more  intreated  ?  Hath  God  for- 
gotten to  be  gracious  ?  I  said,  it  is  my  own  infirmi- 
ty ;  but  I  will  remember  the  years  of  the  right 
hand  of  the  Most  High. 

Luke  xii.  33.  Sell  all,  that  ye  have,  and  give 
to  the  poor.  That  is,  renounce  all  the  pleasures 
of  wealth  rather,  than  defraud  the  poor  and  dis- 
tressed of  their  right.  It  is  utterly  impossible 
to  take  delight  in  wealth,  and  to  love  God  with 
all  the  soul. 

Matth.  xxv.  40.  For  as  much  (for  as  often) 
as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one  of  the  least  of  these 
my  brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me. 

As  often  !  Who  then  would  miss  any  occa- 
sion ?  The  least  !  Who  then  would  despise  any 
object  ?  To  me  !  So  that  in  serving  the  poor  we 
serve  Jesus  Christ.  O  comfortable  declaration. 

Mark  ix.  41.  Whosoever  shall  give  you  a 
cup  of  water  to  drink  in  my  name,  because  ye  be- 
long to  Christ  ;  verily  he  shall  not  loose  his  re- 
ward. 

.This  should  always,  if  possible,  be  our  inten- 
tion ;  this  poor^  oppressed,  miserable  man  belongs 
to  Christ.  This  would  wonderfully  inhance  the 
value  of  our  good  deeds  before  God. 

L 


122  SACRA  PRIVATA. 


ALMS. 


i  Cor.  xiii.  3.  And,  though  I  bestow  all  my 
goods  to  feed  the  poor,  and  have  not  charity,  it 
profitteth  me  nothing. 

If  external  afts  of  charity  do  not  proceed  from 
charity,  that  is,  from  love  of  God,  and  of  our 
neighbour  for  his  sake  ;  they  are  nothing  in  the 
sight  of  God.  My  God,  pour  into  my  heart 
this  most  excellent  gift  of  charity,  the  very  bond 
of  peace  and  of  all  virtue. 

Gal.  v\.  10.     Let  us  do  good  unto  all  men. 

For  our  earthly  things,  O  Lord,  give  us  heav- 
enly ;  for  temporal,  eternal. 

Luke  iii.  1 1.  He,  that  hath  two  coats,  let  him 
impart  to  him,  that  hath  none. 

That  is,  let  him,  that  hath  plenty  of  the  neces- 
saries of  life,  let  him  give  to  him,  that  wants. 

The  proportion  of  charity,  appointed  by  God 
himself  to  his  own  people  for  the  relief  of  the 
poor,  was  every  year  a  thirtieth  part  of  their  in- 
come, or  a  tenth  every  third  year. 

This,  was  the  Jews  proportion.  He,  that  came 
short  of  this,  was  a  breaker  of  the  law,  and  with- 
put  repentance  and  restitution  had  no  hope  of 
pardon, 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  123 

The  Christian's  proportion  ought  to  be  great- 
er, as  his  hope  and  reward  are  greater. 

We  should  in  all  our  charities  direft  our  €ye 
toward  Christ  in  his  members  ;  it  is  this,  which 
heightens  the  smallest  gifts.  Men  reward,  what 
is  done  on  human  motives  j  f  God,  what  is  done 
for  his  sake. 

He,  that  for  his  good  aftions  expefts  the  ap- 
plause of  men,  runs  the  hazard  of  loosing  the  re- 
ward of  God. 

The  poor  are,  as  it  were,  the  receivers  of  the 
rights  and  dues  belonging  unto  God  ;  we  must 
have  a  care  of  defrauding  them. 

Luke  xi.  41.  -  But  rather  give  alms  of  such 
things,  as  you  have,  (or  as  you  are  able)  and  all 
things  are  clean  to  you.  That  is,  proportion 
your  alms  to  your  estate,  lest  God  proportion 
your  estate  to  your  alms. 

It  is  a  necessary  Christian  duty  (whatever  men 
think  of  it)  to  part  with  our  worldly  enjoy- 
ments for  the  sake  of  Christ. 

The  very  best  of  men  are  only  instruments  in 
God's  hands  to  receive  and  to  give,  what  God 
bestows  upon  them.  This  they  should  do  with- 
out any  desire  of  glory  or  self  interest. 

Let  us  make  light  of  money,  and  send  it  before 
us  into  the  heavenly  treasures,  where  neither 
moth  nor  rust  doth  corrupt  ;  but  where  it  will 
be  kept,  to  our  eternal  advantage,  under  the  cus- 
tody of  God  himself. 

Thou,  O  Lord,  hast  been  all  mercy  to  me  ; 


i24  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

grant  that  I  may  be  all  mercy  to  others,  for 
Christ's  sake. 

Remember  to  give  to  those,  that  are  ashamed 
to  ask  ;  and  do  not  forget  your  poor  relations, 
lest  you  be  worse,  than  an  infidel. 

Rom.  xii.  1 8.  He,  that  showeth  mercy,  let 
him  do  it  with  cheerfulness. 

The  good  Lord  preserve  me  from  vanity,  and 
from  seeking  applause  for  my  charity. 

Not  unto  me,  but  unto  Thee,  O  God,  be  the 
thanks,  and  praise,  and  glory. 

The  merits  of  the  poor  are  not  to  be  the  rule 
of  our  charity.  God  himself  maketh  his  sun  to 
shine  upon  the  evil  and  the  good. 

If  we  would  but  moderate  our  vanity,  we 
should  always  have  enough  for  charity. 

Send  thy  blessing  upon  my  substance,  and  con- 
tinue to  me  a  willing  mind  to  help  such,  as  have 
need,  according  to  my  ability. 

Good  advise  and  devout  petitions  should  ac- 
company our  charity. 

O  God,  who  knowest  the  necessities  of  all  thy 
creatures,  give  thy  poor  the  spiritual  graces, 
they  need. 

Support  thy  poor  members,  O  Jesus,  under  all 
their  difficulties,  and  sanctify  their  bodily  wants 
to  the  salvation  of  their  souls.  Lord,  grant  that 
they  may  bear  their  poor  estate  with  patience 
and  resignation,  and  that  we  may  one  day  meet 
in  the  paradise  of  God. 
Jesus  Christ  is  continually  humbled  in  his  metn- 


SACRA  PR! V ATA.  125 

bers  ;  some  are  poor,  in  prison,  sick,  naked,  hun- 
gry, &c.  Let 'me,  O  Lord,  see  and  help  Thee  in 
all  these  objects. 

A  man,  who  has  faith,  will  be  glad  to  discharge, 
himself  of  some  part  of  the  burthen  of  the  tem- 
poral goods,  in  order  to  secure  those,  that  are 
.  eternal  ;  and  to  be  in  some  measure  the  preserv- 
er of  his  brethren. 

Psa.  cxii.  5.  A  good  (charitable)  man  will 
guide  his  affairs  with  discretion;  that  is,  he  will 
retrench  all  needless  expenses  in  apparel,  diet,  di- 
versions, &c.  that  he  may  give  to  him,  that  need- 
eth. 
Let  your  alms  be  in  secret  as  much,  as  may  be, 

Chanty ,  or  the  love  of  God  and  our  neighbour. 

It  is  but  the  first  essay  of  charity  to  give  alms. 

Whoever   shows   mercy  to  men,  will  certain- 
ly receive  mercy  from  God. 

i  John.  iii.  15.   Whosoever  hateth  his  broth- 
er, is  a  murderer. 

A  man  has  already  killed  him  in  his  heart,whose 
life  is  grievous  to  him,  and  at  whose  death  he 
would  rejoice. 

14.     He,  that  loveth  not  his  brother,  abideth 
in  death. 

Can  we  believe  that  God  saith  this,  and  delay 
one  moment  to  be  reconciled  ? 

It  isgoot  enough  to  love  our  brethren  ;  we  must 
L  2  A 


126  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

love  them  upon  a  principle  of  faith,  in  the  name? 
for  the  sake,  and  as  members  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Luke  vi.  37.  Forgive,  and  it  shall  be  forgiven 
you. 

Give  me,  O  my  God,  a  heart  full  of  Christian 
meekness  and  charity,  that  I  may  willingly  forget 
the  evil,  I  have  received,  and  be  always  disposed 
to  do  good  to  others. 

We  love  our  neighbour  after  a  Christian  man- 
ner, when  we  love  him  for  God's  sake  j  and  for 
God's  sake  do  him  good, 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  127 

THE  LITANY. 

O  God,  the  F*her  of  Heaven  ;  have  mercy  up- 
on me,  keep,  and  defend  me. 

O  God  the  Son,  Redeemer  of  the  world  j  have 
mercy  upon  me,  save,  and  deliver  me. 

O  God  the  Holy  Ghost  ;  have  mercy  upon 
me,  strengthen,  and  comfort  me. 

Remember  not,  O  Lord,  my  offences,  nor  the 
offences  of  my  forefathers  ;  nor  take  Thou  ven- 
geance of  our  sins.  Spare  us,  good  Lord,  spare 
thy  people,  whom  Thou  hast  redeemed  with  thy 
most  precious  blood,  and  be  not  angry  with  us 
forever. 

From  thy  wrath  and  heavy  indignation  ;  from 
the  guilt  and  burden  of  my  sins  ;  from  the  dread- 
ful sentence  of  the  last  judgment  ; 

Good  Lord)  deliver  me. 

From  the  sting  and  terrors  of  conscience  ;  from 
impatience,  distrust,  and  dispair  ;  from  extremity 
of  sickness  and  pain,  which  may  withdraw  my 
mind  from  God  ; 

Good  Lord,  Deliver  me. 

From  the  bitter  pangs  of  eternal  death  ;  from 
the  gates  of  hell ;  from  the  powers  of  darkness  $ 
and  from  the  illusions  of  Satan  j 

Good  Lord,  deliver  me. 


128  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

By  thy  manifold  and  great  mercies  ;  by  thy 
manifold  and  great  merits ;  by  thine  agony 
and  bloody  sweat  ;  by  thy  bitter  cross  and 
passion  ;  by  thy  mighty  resurrection  ;  by  thy 
glorious  ascension,  and  most  acceptable  interces- 
sion j  and  by  the  graces  of  the  Holy  Ghost  j  . 

Good  Lord,  deliver  me. 

For  the  glory  of  thy  name  ;  for  thy  loving 
mercy  and  truth's  sake  ; 

Good  Lord,  deliver  me. 

In  my  last  and  greatest  need  ;  in  the  hour  of 
death  ;  and  in  the  day  of  judgment  ; 

Good  Lord,  deliver  me. 

As  Thou  hast  delivered  all  thy  saints  and  ser- 
vants, which  called  upon  Thee  in  their  extremity  ; 

Good  Lord,  deliver  me  ;  and  receive  my 
soul  for  thy  mercy's  sake. 

Be  merciful  unto  me,  and  forgive  me  all  my 
sins,  which  by  the  malice  of  the  devil,  or  by  my 
own  frailty,  I  have  at  any  time'  of  my  life  com- 
mitted against  Thee.  » 

Lay  not  to  my  charge,  what  in  the  last  of  the 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  129 

eye,  the  pride  of  life,  or  vanity,  I  have  committed 
•against  Thee. 

Lay  not  to  my  charge,  what  by  an  angry  spir- 
it, by  vain  arid  idle  words,  by  foolish  jesting,  I 
have  committed  gainst  Thee. 

Make  me  partaker  of  all  thy  mercies  and  prom- 
ises in  Christ  Jesus. 

Vouchsafe  my  soul  a  place  of  rest  in  the  par- 
adise of  God  with  all  thy  blessed  Saints  ;  and  my 
body  part  in  the  blessed  resurrection. 

O  Lord  God,  Lamb  of  God,  that  takest  away 
the  sins  of  the  world  ; 

Have  mercy  upon  me. 
Thou,  that  takest  away  the  sins  of  the  worlda 

Grant  me  thy  peace. 
Thou,  that  sittest  at  the  right  hand  of  Godf 

Have  mercy  upon  me. 

Have  mercy  upon  me,  receive  my  prayer,  which 
Thou  hast  tought  me. 

Our  Father ,  who  art  in  Heaven  &c. 

O  Lord,  deal  not  with  me  after  my  sins  ;  ndr 
reward  me  after  my  iniquites. 

O  God,  merciful  Father,  that  despiseth  not  the 
sighing  of  a  contrite  heart,  nor  the  desires 


130  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

as  be  sorrowful  ;  mercyfully  assist  my  prayers, 
which  1  make  before  Thee  ;  at  those  times  espe- 
cially when  I  am  preparing  for  death  and  eternity. 
O  Lord,  graciously  Tiear  me,  that  those  evils, 
those  illusions,  and  assaults,  which  my  great  en- 
emy worketh  against  me,  may  be  brought  to 
nought,  and  by  the  providence  of  thy  goodness 
dispersed  ;  that  thy  servant,  being  delivered  from 
all  temptations,  may  give  thanks  to  Thee  with 
thy  Holy  Church  to  all  eternity.  Amen. 

Let  us  endeavour  by  timely  repentance  to  pre- 
vent the  reproaches,  which  otherwise  our  con- 
,  siences  will  cast  upon  us  at  the  hour  of  death. 

The  support  of  a  penitent  at  the  hour 
of  death. 

John  iii.  16.  God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he 
gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  be- 
lieveth  in  him,  should  not  perish  ;  but  have  ever- 
lasting life. 

i  John  i?:  i.  We  have  an  Advocate  with  the 
Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous  ;  who  came  in- 
to the  world  to  save  sinners  ;  who  died  for  us, 
when  we  were  his  enimies,  that  he  might  offer  us 
unto  God. 

Our  Judge  himself  hath  assured  us,  that  all- 
sins  shall  be  forgiven  the  sons  of  men. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  13 1 

EJACULATIONS. 

» 

TAKE  from  me  all  evil  imaginations,all  impu- 
rity of  thought,  all  inclinations  to  lust,  all  envy, 
pride,  and  hypocrisy  ;  all  falsehood,  deceit,  and 
irregularity  of  life  ;  all  covetousness,  vain  glory, 
and  sloth  ;  all  malice,  anger,  and  wrath  ;  all  re- 
membrance of  injuries,  every  thing,  contrary  to 
thy  will,  O  most  Holy  God. 

May  I  never  hear  with  pleasure,  nor  ever  re- 
peat such  things,  as  may  dishonor  God,  or  injure 
my  neighbour  or  my  own  character. 

Love  of  God,  &c. 

Bless  me,  O  God,  with  the  love  of  Thee,  and 
.of  my  neighbour.  Give  me  peace  of  conscience, 
the  command  of  my  affections  j  and  for  the  rest, 
Thy  will  be  done. 

O  King  of  peace,  give  us  thy  peace,  keep  us 
in  love  and  charity. 

Make  thyself,  O  God,  absolute  master  of  my 
heart. 

They,  that  be  whole,  need  not  a  physician.  It 
belongs  to  Thee,  O  Sovereign  Physician,  to  make 
us  sensible  of  our  maladies,  and  to  make  us  go  to 
Thee  for  help.  O  say  unto  my-soul  this  word  of 
salvation,  Behold,  thou  art  made  whole. 

Without  me  ye  can  do  nothing.  Miserable  in- 
deed is  he,  who  pretends  to  walk  without  Thee, 


133  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

O  give  me  light  to  see,  a  heart  to  embrace,  and 
a  power  to  do  thy  will.  From  thy  Spirit  I 
hope  to  receive  these  graces. 

John  xiu  26.  If  any  man  serve  me,  let  him  fol- 
low me  ;  and  him  will  my  Father  honor. 

Let  me  never  flatter  myself,  that  I  serve  Thee, 
my  Saviour,  unless  I  follow  thy  example  at  the 
expense  of  every  thing  I  love  or  fear  beside.  O 
keep  my  heart  fixed  upon  that  honor,  which  God 
has  prepared  for  those,  that  follow  Thee. 

O  divine  Spirit,  render  me  worthy  of  thy  pres- 
ence and  consolation.  Fill  my  heart  with  holy 
dread  of  thy  judgments.  Give  me  a  true  sense 
and  knowledge  of  the  danger  and  evil  of  sin  ;  and 
may  I,  with  prudent  moderation  only,  be  concern- 
ed for  temporal  things. 

Jesus  Christ  is  always  in  his  temple,  and  near 
you,  (if  your  soul  be  fit  for  him  to  dwell  in)  to 
Him  apply  on  all  occasions. 

As  your  Master  ;  for  grace  to  study,  to  love, 
and  to  follow  his  instructions.  He  requires  no- 
thing, but  what  he  first  practised  himself. 

As  your  Lord ;  that  you  may  love  and  serve 
him  faithfully,  and  fulfil  all  his  commands. 

As  your  Pattern  ;  that  you  may  follow  his  ex- 
ample, and  imitate  his  virtues. 

As  your  Saviour  ;  that  he  may  be  your  refuge 
and  confidence,  your  strength  and  support,  your 
peace  and  consolation,  your  Saviour  now  and  at 
the  hour  of  death. 

As  your  King  ;  that  he  may  give  laws  to  your 


SACRA  PRIVATA,  133 

soul,  and  that  you  may  surrender  yourself  to  his 
commands  ;  and  never  rebel,  nor  resist  his  au- 
thority* 

As  your  Shepherd.  Keep  me  in  thy  flock  by 
thy  almighty  grace  ;  I  am  one  of  the  lost  sheep, 
which  Thou  earnest  to  seek.  Take  me  under  thy 
care,  and  restore  me  to  thy  fold.  Increase  thy 
flock  for  the  honor  of  thy  name. 

Wilful  Sin. 

Let  me  rather  choose  to  die,  than  to  sin  against 
my  conscience. 

Penitent* 

I  am  ashamed  to  come  before  Thee  ;  but  I 
fciust  come,  or  perish.  I  know  that  Thou  art 
angry  with  me  for  my  sin$  ;  but  I  know  too 
that  Thou  pitiest  me,  or  why  do  I  yet  live  ? 
Muke  me  full  of  sorrow  for  my  sin,  and  full  of 
hope  of  thy  mercy  and  pardon.  Look  upon  the 
infirmities  of  thy  servant,  and  consider  his  weak- 
ness. Sensible  of  my  own  sad  condition,  weak 
and  miserable,  sinful  and  ignorant,  liable  to  eter- 
nal death,  I  prostrate  myself  before  Thee,  im- 
ploring thy  help  and  pardon. 

Gracious  God,  never  abandon  me  to  the  op- 
position, I  shall  at  any  time  make  to  thy  grace. 

Blessed  be  God,  that  he  has  so  often  prevent- 
ed me,  and  not  left  me  to  the  desires  of  my  own 
heart. 

M 


134  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

Put  a  stop  to  the  torrent  of  wickedness  and 
profaneness,  which  carries  all  before  it. 

I  confess  my  sins  to  Thee,  O  God  ;  do  Thou 
hide  them  from  the  world. 

Eternity.  Lord,  imprint  on  my  heart  a  lively 
idea  of  eternity,  that  the  sorrowful  passages  of 
this  life,  which  are  so  uneasy  and  frightful  to  na- 
ture, may  vanish,  or  be  borne  with  patience. 

Example.  Pardon  my  sin,  and  forgive  all  such, 
as  have  been  misled  by  an  evil  example  of  mine. 

Matth.  v.  48.  Be  ye  perfect,  even  as  your  Fa- 
ther, who  is  in  Heaven,  is  perfect. 

O  divine  repairer  of  our  corrupt  nature,  may 
thy  allpowerful  grace  make  me  as  perfect,  as 
Thou  hast  commanded  me  to  be  ! 

Holiness. 

O  God,  who  hast  called  me  to  holiness,  give 
me  firm  faith  in  thy  power,  through  our  Lord  Je- 
sus Christ,  that  by  his  assistance  I  may  get  the 
mastery  of  all  my  sins  and  corruptions  ;  that  I 
may  be  redeemed  from  all  iniquity  ;  that  I  jnay 
be  Jioly,  as  He,  who  has  called  me,  is  holy. 

Possess  my  soul  with  earnest  desire  of  pleasing 
Thee,  and  with  holy  fear  of  offending  Thee. 

Let  me  be  ever  ready  to  forgive  injuries,  and 
backward  to  offer  any. 

Give  me,  O  Lord,  faith  and  patience,  that  I 
may  neither  murmur  at  thy  appointments^  nor 
be  angry  against  the  instruments  of  thy  justice. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  135 

Deliver  me  from  the  errors  and  vices  of  the 
present  age  ;  from  infidelity,  wicked  principles, 
from  profaneness,  heresies,  and  schism. 

I  most  heartily,  thank  Thee,  O  God,  for.  thy 
perpetual  care  of  me,  for  all  thy  mercies,  bestow- 
ed on  me,  for  the  blessings  of  nature  and  of  grace. 

Grant,  O  God,  that  T  may  never  receive  thy 
grace  in  vain  ;  but  that  I  may  live,  like  one,  who 
believes  and  hopes  for  the  joys  of  Heaven. 

Let  me  ever  be  sorry  for  my  sins,  -  thankful 
for  thy  blessings,  fear  thy  judgments,  love  thy 
mercies,  and  remember  thy  presence. 

Give  me  a  humble  mind,  godly  fear,  and  a  qui- 
et conscience. 

•Weaken,  O  Lord,  the  power  of  Satan  in'this 
place,  and  the  tyranny  of  his  ministers, 

In  time  of  pestilence  or  danger. 

.  Set  thy  saving  mark  upon  our  houses,  and 
give  order  to  the  destroyer  nor  to  hurt  us. 

John  xvi.  23.  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you? 
whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  the  Father  in  my  name, 
he  will  give  it  you. 

Upon  this  promise,  blessed  Lord,  I  depend  ; 
beseeching  Thee,  O  heavenly  Father,  for  thy 
dear  Son's  sake,  to  give  me  the  graces,  I  most 
need. 

After  prayers. 

Vouchsafe  us  those  graces  and  blessings,  which 


136  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

Thou  knowest  to  be  needful  for  us,  notwithstand- 
ing our  great  unworthinfcss.  i 

Riches.  Shut  my  heart,  O  Lord,  against  the 
love  of  worldly  riches,  lest  I  betray  Thee,  as  Ju- 
das did. 

May  thy  Holy  Spirit,  O  God,  fill  my  heart, 
that  it  may  appear  in  all  my  words  and  actions, 
that  I  am  governed  by  it. 

Luke  x.  33.  And,  when  he  saw  him,  he  had 
compassion  on  him. 

O  Jesus,  the  true  Samaritan,  look  upon  the 
wounds,  which  sin  has  caused  in  my  soul,  and 
have  compassion  on  me. 

May  I  always  resign  my  will  and  desires  to 
him,  who  knows  what  is  good  for  us  Better,  than 
we  ourselves  do, 

Holy  Scriptures. 

Give  me,  O  God,  sincere  love  for  the  truths 
of  the  gospel,  a  teachable  heart,  and  an  obedient 
will. 

Perseverance.  Finish,  O  my  God,  the  work 
of  mercy  and  conversion,  which  Thou  hast  be- 
gun in  me. 

Save,  O  Lord  Jesus,  a  soul,  which  Thou  hast 
redeemed  by  thy  blood. 

There  is  no  merit  in  me,  OGod,  to  attract  thy 
mercy  and  goodness,  but  only  my  great  misery 
and  blindness.  May  I  make  a  suitable  return  by 
a  holy  life. 


SACRA  PRIVATA.  137 

According  to  the  greatness  of  thy  goodness, 
and  the  multitude  of  thy  mercies,  look  upon  me. 

Sanctify  my  soul  and  body  by  the  heavenly 
blessings,  that  they  may  be  made  thy  holy  hab- 
itation, and  that  nothing  may  be  found  in  me, 
that  may  offend  the  eyes  of  thy  Majesty. 

Protect  and  keep  me  in  the  midst  of  the  dan- 
gers of  this  corrupt  world  ;  and  by  thy  light  and 
grace  direct  me  in  the  way  to  everlasting  life, 
through  Jesus  Christ. 

Morning.  I  laid  me  down  and  slept,  and  rose 
again,  for  the  Lord  sustained  me.  Blessed  be  the 
name  of  the  Lord. 

Raise  me  up,  O  Lord,  at  the  last  day,  to  life 
and  happiness  everlasting. 

Blessed  be  the  Lord  for  his  mercies,  renewed 
unto  me  every  morning. 

O  that  my  eyes  may  ever  be  fixed  upon  the 
example,  that  our  blessed  Lord  left  us,  and  that 
I  may  daily  endeavour  to  follow  him.  Amen. 

Night.  May  the  Saviour  and  the  Guardian  of 
my  soul  take  me  under  his  protection  this  night 
and  evermore. 

Cor.  vii.  35.  Attend  upon  the  Lord  without 
distraction. 

O  holy  Spirit  of  grace,  help  my  infirmities, 
that  I.  may  fix  my  thoughts  upon  my  duty  • 
and  that  I  may  serve  Thee  with  all  my  heart  and 
mind.  That  I  may  never  give  way  to  wander- 
ing  thoughts,  but  watch  against  them  contin- 
ually. 


138  SACRA  PRIVATA. 

Look  upon  me,  O  Lord,  and  pity  me  ;  make 
me,  and  let  me  be  thine  by  the  choice  of  my  will. 
Make  me  serious-  and  thoughtful  at  all  times, 
that  I  may  not  fdl  of  being  so  when  I  attend  up- 
on God. 

Let  not  my  heart,  O  God,  be  inclined  to  any 
evil  thing.  Keep  me,  O  God,  from  every  thing, 
that  may  displease  Thee.  O  make  me  wise  un- 
to salvation* 

Phil,  Iv.  13.  I  can  do  all  things  through 
Christ,  who  strengtheneth  me. 

O  that  I  may  never  forfeit  this  power  by  pre- 
sumption, or  by  want  of  faith. 

John  xx.  28.  Thomas  said,  my  Lord,  and 
my  God. 

Thou  art  indeed,  O  Jesus,  my  Lord,  for  thou 
hast  redeemed  me  by  thy  precious. blood  ;  Thou 
art  my  God,  for  I  am  dedicated  to  Thee,  and 
sanctified  by  thy  Spirit. 

Acts  ii.  44.  And  all,  that  believed,  were  to- 
gether; and  had  all  things  .common. 

May  God  grant  that,  as  we  are  all  members 
of  the  same  body,  have  one  and  the  same  Fa- 
ther, the  same  Saviour,  the  same  Spirit,  and  hope 
to  meet  in  the  same  paradise  ;  that  we  may  live 
in  unity  and  godly  love,  and  be  charitable  accor- 
ding to  our  ability. 

The  good  Lord,  grant  that  in  the  day  of 
Christ  I  may  rejoice,  that  I  have  not  run  in  vain, 
nor  labored  in  vain. 


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